Leeds United are still waiting for lift off in the transfer market this summer despite completing some solid business.
Four new faces have been brought in at Elland Road, with Gabriel Gudmundsson the latest addition.
However, with Leeds expected to be facing an uphill battle to stay in the Premier League, supporters would like to see the club being a little more ambitious in the market.
If the Whites are to stave off relegation, then the feeling is that they’ll need a little more firepower in forward areas.
While a No. 10 is the player most would like to see brought in, there is still room for another blockbuster signing on the wings.
And as Daniel Farke scours the market to find the right additions to keep Leeds where they feel they belong, a perfect market opportunity is starting to present itself.
Johan Bakayoko celebrates scoring for PSV Eindhoven in a friendly match against Nottingham Forest.
Photo by Aaron van Zandvoort/Soccrates/Getty Images
Leeds should be all over Johan Bakayoko
As TBR Football revealed on Saturday, PSV Eindhoven winger Johan Bakayoko is expected to leave the Netherlands for England this summer.
Nottingham Forest are understood to be the club in most advanced discussions over the 22-year-old, but the race is still very much open.
While this would no doubt be an ambitious target for Leeds, Bakayoko is understood to be allowed to leave PSV for a little over £22m. From that point of view, his signing is certainly do-able.
The race for the Belgium international is already crowded, and the likes of Forest, Everton and West Ham may feel they can easily edge Leeds out of the running.
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But you can only win it if you’re in it and the Whites can offer a fresh project to Bakayoko with the promise of continued game time on the biggest stage in domestic football.
Going big on the Belgian would send out the right message to supporters, and a relatively low transfer fee would mean there was still space to do further business.
Bakayoko could be a game-changer for Leeds
While Leeds do have options on the wings, none are in the same class as Bakayoko. The PSV man is only going to get even better and could develop into one of the best wingers in Europe.
Season Appearances Goals Assists
2022/23 33 7 5
2023/24 48 14 14
2024/25 46 12 3
Johan Bakayoko last three seasons
Romelu Lukaku claimed Bakayoko was on track to be a ‘top-tier’ player back in November 2023, and he has made further strides since then.
If Leeds are going to stay in the Premier League then they need to be able to get goals. Having scored 26 times and assisted a further 17 over the past two seasons, Bakayoko can make an impact in that regard.
This would not be an easy deal to do, nobody is denying that. But if Farke wants to sprinkle that little bit of stardust over his team – and excite supporters in the process – then Leeds simply have to make a play for Bakayoko.
If they do not, someone else definitely will. And from there, Bakayoko is only going one way: to the top.