It seems at the moment that if Leeds United want to sign a player, Sunderland are also linked with them, but the issue is that the Black Cats have agreed deals for three players supposedly high on Leeds’ list of targets.
For Leeds to stay in the Premier League, they have to make a real fist of it when it comes to recruitment in order to finish above one of the 17 sides that stayed up last term.
They also have to be the best out of the newly-promoted trio too, which includes an increasingly ambitious Sunderland side eager to get big deals over the line.
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Noah Sadiki agreed: Sunderland gazump Leeds United again with second midfield target snatched
Habib Diarra has already been announced by the Black Cats, having agreed a £30.3million deal following Leeds’ previous £21.9million offer.
He’s not the only Leeds-linked player the Wearside club have turned to either, agreeing to land Atletico Madrid’s Reinildo on a free transfer.
Now, another midfield target of Leeds’ is heading to the Stadium of Light in Union SG man Noah Sadiki, as Fabrizio Romano reveals that a £17.3million deal is agreed between Sunderland and the Belgian champions.
(REUTERS/Piroschka Van De Wouw)
A medical has already commenced for the midfielder to join Leeds’ relegation rivals this week.
Transfer focus becomes clear for Leeds United after Noah Sadiki blow
It’s no secret that Leeds would have liked to sign one of Diarra or Sadiki if the price was right, something they clearly didn’t think about Diarra’s £30million price tag, but may have done with Sadiki at around half that amount.
However, with both off table, it should sharpen Leeds’ focus on the hunt to add another midfielder to their double pivot – namely to Hoffenehim’s Anton Stach.
Linked with a move and part of the 49ers’ shortlist to strengthen alongside Ethan Ampadu, Ao Tanaka and Ilia Gruev, the German international could come in at a cost of around £17million – according to previous reports.
With July bringing the next PSR cycle, Leeds’ business is expected to ramp up this month, even this potentially week with pre-season due to begin from early next week.
Leeds United need to kick into gear with midfield recruitment after double Sunderland blow
It’s one thing being outbid for Diarra, a value that we clearly didn’t see fit to match for the Senegal international, but it’s another thing to have an alternative target head to the same club.
How strong our interest went in Sadiki is hard to say after the fact, but what we can see is that Sunderland are moving fast to address their midfield after losing Jobe.
Leeds have midfield on their list of priorities, and with two targets down, it should see the 49ers hone in on another name very soon, hopefully that is Anton Stach.
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