Leeds United have maintained the momentum in the transfer market by completing the £34m signing of Tarik Muharemovic from Sassuolo, underlining the club’s ambition ahead of the new season.
The Bosnia international completed his move to Elland Road on Friday, becoming the second-most expensive signing in Leeds’ history as the 49ers continued to back Daniel Farke in the Premier League.
Muharemovic fills one of the club’s biggest needs this summer. With Pascal Struijk having joined Brighton, Farke was keen to bring in a dominant centre-back, and the 23-year-old is expected to go straight into the starting XI.
Leeds are also closing in on a move to sign a top goalkeeper after James Trafford indicated his desire to move to Elland Road this summer.
Strengthening midfield also remains a priority. While Leeds have plenty of options in that department, Farke believes the squad still needs more quality to go to the next level.
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Leeds are still working on several deals as they look to strengthen the squad further before the summer transfer window closes.
The club remain in the market for a goalkeeper, an attacking midfielder, a striker and a back-up left-back, with all four positions viewed as priorities over the coming weeks.
However, Leeds have had frustration in their pursuit of midfield reinforcement as Southampton have rejected three offers for Shea Charles from the Whites.
The Yorkshire giants have no intention of improving on their third offer and will only return to the negotiating table if the Saints lower their demands.
According to the Daily Mail, Southampton have even rejected Fulham’s £24m offer for the 22-year-old midfielder.
The Cottagers believed that they could get a deal done, but Southampton remained firm on Charles’ valuation.
The Saints want over £30m before agreeing to sell the midfielder, and there are now concerns that the club could price him out of a move this summer.
However, with Fulham failing with a bid, Leeds still have hope of securing Charles this summer.
Leeds could sign Shea Charles later in the window
The Whites are insisting that they won’t overpay for Charles, and have no intention of meeting Southampton’s £30m asking price this summer.
However, they have not ruled out signing the midfielder later in the transfer window, when his price could come down.
Charles has a year left on his contract, and Southampton need to sell him this summer if they want to get a decent fee for the player.
If no club agree to meet the Saints’ demands, there is an expectation that Charles’ price will come down later in the transfer window.
The midfielder is keen to join Leeds, and the club are banking on the player pushing for the move as we near deadline day this summer.
Southampton have NOT rejected three offers for Shea Charles from the whites ?