Leeds United are preparing to spend big this summer and that could see a £69m defender arrive to become their new club-record signing.
It would be a fitting reward for Daniel Farke, who put any doubts to bed last season by taking the Yorkshire club to safety in their first season back in the top flight.
There were several question marks about the German at the start of the campaign. His job was even at major risk at one stage, but all it took was one genius system change to get the best out of this current side and Farke hasn’t looked back ever since.
As far as the 49ers are concerned, it’s now all about backing their man. The American owners have already set their sights on some key names, including the likes of Shea Charles.
The Southampton man is edging closer to the exit door and Leeds now have the green light to launch an offer if they meet the Saints’ £20m asking price.
The midfielder is not the only name on their radar, however. Alongside Charles, those at Elland Road have also stepped up their pursuit of a big-money defender.
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Leeds readying major offer for Ivory Coast star
There would be no better way to celebrate Premier League safety than by breaking a transfer record. According to A Bola in Portugal, as relayed by Sport Witness, Leeds are now readying an ‘unprecedented’ offer to sign Ousmane Diomande from Sporting CP this summer.
The Whites have already launched their first approach to the defender’s camp and are ready to test Sporting’s resolve with an offer worth €50m (£43m) with add-ons.
Whether that’s enough to tempt the Portuguese club into a deal remains to be seen, however. They could still point towards Diomande’s release clause, which stands at a whopping €80m (£69m). Either way, Leeds will have to break their transfer record if they are to welcome the Ivory Coast star this summer.
|
Rank |
Player |
Fee |
Signed from |
Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Georginio Rutter |
£35.5m |
Hoffenheim |
2023 |
|
2 |
Brenden Aaronson |
£28.5m |
RB Salzburg |
2022 |
|
3 |
Rodrigo |
£26m |
Valencia |
2020 |
|
4 |
Dan James |
£25m |
Man Utd |
2018 |
|
5 |
Luis Sinisterra |
£21m |
Feyenoord |
2022 |
It wasn’t so long ago that Diomande was on the radar of clubs at the top of English football, so he’d certainly be a statement signing if Leeds manage to lure him to Elland Road in the coming months.
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