Leeds United sporting director Adam Underwood is coming under increasing pressure to deliver the attacking signings Daniel Farke is desperate for ahead of the end of the window. The Whites have fewer options in the final third compared to what they had in the Championship last season.
Underwood earned plaudits for the early work he did this summer to adequately strengthen the defence and midfield while bringing in a top goalkeeper in Lucas Perri way before the start of the season. However, negotiations for forwards have stalled, with the Whites feeling frustrated in the market.
Daniel Farke has been vocal about what his squad need in the final weeks of the window and indicated that Leeds need to bring in quality additions for their attack if they want to survive in the Premier League next season.
Leeds are expected to table another bid for Fulham striker Rodrigo Muniz soon, and they have received some positive indications that the club will land another one of their top targets in the coming days.
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Leeds United have the edge over Newcastle for Bilal El Khannouss
The Bilal El Khannouss transfer saga has seen a few turns over the last few weeks, but he has remained one of the top targets for Leeds.
The Whites held talks with his representatives a few weeks back and are prepared to trigger the release clause to take him to Elland Road this summer.
Newcastle’s entry into the race changed the dynamics, and the attacking midfielder was slipping away from Leeds’ grasp in the final weeks of the window.
However, according to CaughtOffSide, Leeds are still leading the race and are ahead of Newcastle in their pursuit of the midfielder this summer.
The Whites are the only club who have made a concrete contract offer to the player and have had advanced negotiations with his representatives.
Newcastle have had contact with the player’s camp, but the negotiations are nowhere close to as advanced as it has been made out to be.
His release clause is believed to be £30m, but Leeds are prepared to pay it as they feel it would be a long-term investment to boost the technical depth in their midfield.
Leeds have 48 hours to get the deal done
It appears Leeds’ early groundwork on El Khannouss has given them the edge in the race to sign him ahead of Newcastle this summer.
However, the Whites need to hurry up as the release clause in his contract will only remain applicable until 15th August.
Leicester will be more than happy to see the transfer saga extend beyond Friday, as it will hand them the power to dictate the transfer fee.
Leeds need to push the attacking midfielder to give them an answer soon and finalise the details of the transfer before the end of the week.
Leeds need to get one of these key signings over the line. I’ve lost count of the number of “possibles” and even “probables” that have changed their minds and signed elsewhere. We have been needing this kind of quality for that last four seasons at least, particularly up front so let’s get the deal done!!