Amid all the noise and the rumours of a late move to Leeds United ahead of deadline day, Eduard Spertsyan took to the pitch on Sunday afternoon as Krasnodar faced CSKA Moscow.
Daniel Farke has made it clear he wants a new attacking signing before the deadline. Plenty have been linked, but Dilane Bakwa’s future remains unclear and Bilal El Khannouss is set to join Stuttgart for £26m.
Other options include a return for Manor Solomon, despite interest from Lyon, Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa according to reports from Solomon’s home country. Another target is Eduard Spertsyan.
The Armenian ace has been linked with Leeds for a while, a move that would see Spertsyan reunite with manager Farke. The Leeds manager was briefly in charge at Russian side Krasnodar before Gladbach.
Eduard Spertsyan in action for Krasnodar against Zenit.
Photo by Mike Kireev/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Eduard Spertsyan shows Leeds what they are missing on Sunday
Beren Cross reports on The Athletic that Spertsyan remains a target going into the final 24 hours of the summer window. It is unclear how much Spertsyan would cost, but Leeds are keen on a very late deal.
Last month, Andrey Arshavin said he expects Spertsyan to leave Krasnodar this summer. It comes after 88 goals and assists in 153 Krasnodar games, before Sunday’s top-of-the-table clash against CSKA Moscow.
Leeds have signed plenty of big players this summer, but they lack a player who can supply them with set-pieces. Well, Spertsyan showed Leeds what they’re missing, his corner headed in by Jhon Cordoba.
The goal saw Krasnodar equalise away at CSKA Moscow and earn Krasnodar a point after seven league games in the Russian Premier League. Perhaps, it will also show Leeds that he is the man to bring in.
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What Spertsyan said after Southampton made him an offer
Earlier this summer, Southampton tried to lure Spertsyan to England but a move fell through. However, it seemed Spertsyan was actually interested, and it is unclear if Krasnodar or Spertsyan decided to say no.
He told Match TV earlier this month: “It’s too early to talk about a move, but everything is serious. There is a concrete offer. Now I will return to Krasnodar, talk to the president, and together we will decide.”
If Spertsyan was tempted by a move to Southampton as the above quotes suggest, then it is likely that the playmaker will be keen on a reunion with Farke and the chance to join Leeds in the Premier League.