Leeds United look set to miss out on one of their rumoured transfer targets, and they have the special one to thank for it.
Leeds United have only gone up against Jose Mourinho once, losing the game. Earlier this summer, Mourinho was even linked with the Leeds United job despite Daniel Farke guiding the Whites to promotion to the Premier League.
That story has since died down with Farke set to remain in charge at Elland Road. Mourinho meanwhile remains in charge at Fenerbahce and both he and Farke are looking for big summer transfer windows, to aid their own ambitions in 2025/26.
Leeds United have so far signed Lukas Nmecha and have agreed a deal to sign Jaka Bijol from Udinese. And it looks like we’re bound to see another new signing soon, with multiple reports of Leeds either being in talks to sign more players or simply in the running.
One such player is Evann Guessand. The 23-year-old Ivorian international scored 12 and assisted eight more in 33 Ligue 1 games for Nice last season.
Forward Evann Guessand of OGC Nice
Photo by SYLVAIN THOMAS/AFP via Getty Images
Evann Guessand has made his decision amid links to Leeds United
Recent reports have revealed how Leeds United are in the running to sign Guessand this summer. But the Whites aren’t alone. Far from it in fact with links to a handful of Premier League clubs including Arsenal, Newcastle and Spurs among others, as well as Mourinho’s Fenerbahce.
It’s understood that Guessand has already held talks with Mourinho over a potential move to Turkey this summer. And subsequent reports state that Guessand has now decided he wants to join Fenerbahce from Nice during this summer’s transfer window.
Turkish outlet Sabah write that ‘stands out as the number one option due to his desire to work with coach Jose Mourinho’ and that, after holding talks with the Portuguese boss, ‘Guessand was positive about coming to Fenerbahce for this reason and that this was decisive in his decision’.
Nikola Krstovic celebrates scoring a goal for Lecce.
Photo by Donato Fasano/Getty Images
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Leeds United are currently working on a deal for a different striker
Despite signing Nmecha, Farke looks like he’s working on another striker signing right away, and it’s understandable given the uncertainty over Mateo Joseph’s future at Leeds United.
Whilst Guessand has been linked, he’s just one of several names mentioned. Instead, it looks like Leeds United are working on a deal to sign Nikola Krstovic from Lecce this summer.
It’s even been claimed that Leeds United are in advanced talks to sign Krstovic after he scored 11 goals in 37 games for the Serie A side, meaning that Guessand’s potential move to Fenerbahce isn’t that big of a blow for Farke and Leeds United.
And with so many Premier League teams in the race, there could be a late twist in the tale, and Mourinho might be left disappointed. Expect to see the destination of Guessand’s next move become much clearer in the coming days.