Leeds United need at least one deeper midfielder adding to the likes of Ao Tanaka and Ethan Ampadu this summer.
Daniel Farke’s Leeds United midfield needs more quality and depth. Leeds have been linked with several midfielders so far this summer already.
Those targets include Habib Diarra, Sean Longstaff, and Noah Sadiki. However, Leeds are still interested in emerging midfield options all the time as well.
That’s because a Leeds United News exclusive revealed last week that Club Brugge and Nigeria midfielder Raphael Onyedika is a transfer target for Leeds this summer transfer window.
Club Brugge midfielder Raphael Onyedika playing against RSC Anderlecht.
Photo by Alex Bierens de Haan/Getty Images
Leeds target Raphael Onyedika eyed by Everton and West Ham
The 24-year-old holding midfielder has been mentioned heavily alongside West Ham, but it’s understood that Leeds have also taken a look at signing the Brugge man this summer.
An earlier report from Telegraph revealed how Onyedika is now a £25 million player amid reports that Onyedika’s exit from Club Brugge is a ‘foregone conclusion’.
The latest comes via Sky journalist Sacha Tavolieri, who states Everton have also joined Leeds and West Ham in the race for his services.
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He states West Ham and Everton are now the teams currently in pole position for Onyedika but that it is West Ham with the most concrete interest so far in the Brugge midfielder.
The Belgian giants expect a fee of close €30 million to make a deal happen for the Nigerian international, which is around £25 million.
If Leeds are serious about Onyedika, then they will have to step up their interest immediately. West Ham are winning the race and a move appears to be edging closer.
Club Brugge v Royal Antwerp FC - Jupiler Pro League
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Raphael Onyedika highlights a joined-up process at Leeds United
Leeds’ approach to squad building this summer makes plenty of sense, with Onyedika’s athleticism and energy evident when watching and analysing him.
The same can be said about the intensity levels of Diarra, Longstaff, and Sadiki. It means they are targeting the right sort of midfield profile for their Premier League survival bid.
Even if they each have other strengths and weaknesses and subtleties to their game, they all overlap in some senses in terms of what they bring to the table out of possession.
Even if Leeds get none of them and have to move on an alternative target, there has to be comfort in knowing the recruitment department are eyeing the same most vital attributes.
Physicality and intensity are going to be crucial in Leeds matching their opposition from a physical perspective next season.