The closer the transfer deadline approaches, the more it feels like Leeds United genuinely do not have a plan for these final days of the window.
The message relayed by the club even before Crysencio Summerville’s exit was that targets had been identified and ready to be given the go ahead as soon as he was gone.
However, here Leeds are with nine days until the deadline now scrambling for replacements for both Summerville and Georginio Rutter, yet seemingly no closer to landing them.
Leeds have been enquiring for what feels like a countless number of attacking targets and if a plan had genuinely been in place, that would not have had to happen.
Burnley’s Manuel Benson, UD Almeria’s Largie Ramazani and Feyenoord’s Calvin Stengs have all been linked in recent days, on top of the likes of Jack Clarke and Jonathan Rowe.
What Calvin Stengs has said about his future this month
Aside from Clarke and Rowe – who both appear to be too expensive – Stengs is undoubtedly the most high profile name on that list.
Stengs is an eight-time capped Netherlands international and registered six goals and 14 assists in the Eredivisie last season for Feyenoord, which would make him a significant coup if Leeds were to land him.
However, just a week ago, it had looked as though Stengs was on his way out of Feyenoord after a £6.1 million deal was agreed with Dean Smith’s Charlotte FC.
Stengs even underwent a medical in London with the MLS side but opted to pull the plug at the last minute to remain at Feyenoord.
Despite his decision, that has not stopped Leeds from making their interest known in Stengs, though it already appears to be a dead end based on what he said about his future just last week.
Speaking in an interview with Telegraaf, Stengs claimed he ‘increasingly realised’ how much he enjoys being at Feyenoord while a move to Charlotte FC edged closer, and so decided to pull the plug.
He said: “I increasingly realised how good I have it at Feyenoord and I want to stay there. I will return to Feyenoord and will give everything for the club, my fellow players and the fans.”
Leeds need to go all out for Stengs
Signing a player of Stengs’ quality would be superb at this level and it is quite clear he would cost a fraction of the price Rutter has just been sold for.
Having previously agreed to sell him, Feyenoord must see him as someone they are prepared to let go of and Leeds need to take advantage of that.
Even as a Championship club, Leeds can more than compete with Feyenoord when it comes to finances and so they should be doing everything they can to convince him.
This and another marquee attacking arrival would be everything needed for the fans to be confident in the 49ers‘ ownership again.
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