Leeds United are making moves to sign Rodrigo Muniz from Fulham this summer. But the price tag has a lot of fans talking.
Rodrigo Muniz became a super-sub for Fulham last season. He scored eight goals in the Premier League last season despite starting only eight times, and now Leeds United are trying to sign Muniz.
His links to Elland Road have left Fulham fans amused. But Daniel Farke is serious about signing the Brazilian, with Leeds having a £32million bid rejected for Muniz already this summer.
Fulham are holding out for a staggering £50million. Whether Leeds United are eventually willing to match that amount remains to be seen, if not highly unlikely. But there could be a perfect alternative for the Whites.
And he’s someone who fans will certainly remember and who Muniz will know very well indeed.
Rodrigo Muniz celebrates scoring for Fulham against Tottenham.
Photo by Rob Newell – CameraSport via Getty Images
Could Aleksandar Mitrovic return to England this summer?
A striker who needs no introduction is Aleksandar Mitrovic. The 100-cap Serbian hero has been playing with Al-Hilal for the last two years, but there’s now rumours that he could be on the move this summer, and potentially on his way back to England.
Earlier in the summer, talkSPORT linked Everton and West Ham with a move for the now 30-year-old. It’s understood that Al-Hilal could sell or loan out the former Newcastle United and Fulham man, with £40million thought to be the asking price, which is £10million less than what they paid Fulham for his signature.
Famed for scoring 43 goals in 44 Championship games during the 2021/22 season, Mitrovic has 68 goals in 79 games for Al-Hilal. His Premier League record stands at 38 goals and 11 assists in 129 games, with 14 goals in 24 Premier League matches in 2022/23 his best return in the top flight.
Aleksandar Mitrovic celebrates scoring a goal for Serbia against Andorra.
Photo by Srdjan Stevanovic/Getty Images
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3 reasons why Aleksandar Mitrovic would be a quality signing for Leeds United
Aleksandar Mitrovic is a certified goal-scorer
Mitrovic is nothing if not a goal-scorer. He holds the record for most goals in a Championship season (43) and it’s a record that looks set to last, with Joel Piroe winning the Golden Boot last season on just 19 goals.
After a tough spell at Newcastle United initially, Mitrovic eventually burst into life at Craven Cottage, scoring 111 goals in 206 games for the Cottagers, using his brute force and genuine technical and finishing ability to become one of the most lethal strikers in England at his peak.
With Premier League quality in his boots, Mitrovic would be a solid signing for any team in the top flight, no less a newly-promoted Leeds United side.
Aleksandar Mitrovic would be a huge upgrade on Leeds’ current options
Right now, Farke has Joel Piroe, Patrick Bamford, Mateo Joseph, and Lukas Nmecha as his striking options. Leeds have just signed Nmecha on a free transfer and the jury is somewhat out on the 26-year-old, who’s flopped in England before. There’s also the possibility that Mateo Joseph could leave Leeds United this summer.
Farke’s four strikers have 24 Premier League goals between them. All of which are Bamford’s. Mitrovic arriving would mark a huge upgrade on arguably all four of Farke’s current strikers, given his pedigree in England and his goals tally in the last couple of seasons, albeit in Saudi Arabia.
A loan deal for Aleksandar Mitrovic could be ideal for all parties
Leeds United have a £150million transfer budget this summer. Expect Farke to spend the bulk of that, though Leeds fans aren’t keen on Muniz signing, especially at a cost of more than £32million.
Whereas a loan deal for Mitrovic could be perfect. Leeds would no doubt have to pay some kind of loan fee and there might be a hefty option to buy, or even an obligation, but if Leeds can negotiate a loan deal for the Serb that works for them and fits their budget, then it could prove to be very good business for the 49ers.
And for Mitrovic, a loan move back to England could be beneficial as it seems like there’s no team willing to cough up £40million for his services. At least there’s been no signs of any willing team just yet.