Good Morning. It's Wednesday 28th May, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road…
Cocky Saints Scoff at Leeds Approach for Fernandes
Leeds hopes of securing Southampton midfielder Mateus Fernandes have been met with derision from the South Coast club, who appear to value the young Portuguese talent far higher than initial reports suggested. Fernandes, a shining light in a truly dismal season for the Saints, has attracted attention after his impressive performances following his move from Sporting CP last summer.
With Southampton's relegation to the Championship confirmed, speculation has been rife regarding the future of their prized assets. Leeds United were reportedly keen to capitalize on the situation, expressing an interest in the 20-year-old midfielder, with a potential £30 million price tag being floated.
However, Southampton seem determined to hold onto Fernandes, or at least extract maximum value for him. According to the Daily Echo, the club's hierarchy view the reported £30 million valuation with considerable disdain.
The publication quoted a source within the club who dismissed the figure with humor, stating that "His hair is worth £30m." This lighthearted, yet emphatic, rejection of the rumored valuation highlights Southampton's firm stance. They clearly believe Fernandes is worth significantly more than Leeds United, or any other potential suitor, might be willing to offer.
This response indicates that Leeds United face a tough negotiation if they wish to seriously pursue Fernandes. Southampton's confidence in the player's value suggests they are prepared to play hardball, potentially pricing him out of Leeds' reach. While the Championship club might be tempted by a quick profit after relegation, they clearly recognize the Portuguese midfielder's immense potential and are unwilling to let him go on the cheap. The future of Fernandes remains uncertain but one thing is clear: prising him away from St Mary's will require a significantly larger investment than originally anticipated.
Leeds rekindle interest in Kalimuendo
Leeds United are reportedly rekindling their interest in French Under-21 international striker Arnaud Kalimuendo, a player they initially pursued three years ago. According to football journalist Graeme Bailey, the Whites are keen on securing the Rennes forward's signature, potentially adding much-needed firepower to their attack.
Leeds were in advanced discussions with Paris Saint-Germain for Kalimuendo back in 2022, with reports suggesting a deal was close. However, Rennes ultimately swooped in, acquiring the young Frenchman for a fee of around £21 million.
Kalimuendo has since impressed during his time at the Ligue 1 club. Despite having a contract until 2027, there are indications that Rennes are now open to selling him. This development has alerted Leeds United, who are once again considering a move for the 23-year-old.
However, Leeds will face competition from Newcastle United, who are also said to be interested in Kalimuendo as a potential replacement for Callum Wilson.
Kalimuendo's development at Rennes over the past three years suggests he would be an even more valuable asset for Leeds now than he would have been in 2022. He has gained significant first-team experience, and his goal scoring record has consistently improved with each season.
Former Rennes head coach Bruno Genesio has praised Kalimuendo's intelligence and movement. "He’s a very interesting player when it comes to finding space," Genesio said. "He understands how to move, when to rush into tight spaces at the right time. He understands the difficulties it gives his opponents."
Genesio also highlighted Kalimuendo's improvement in holding up the ball: "He’s also increasingly good with his back to goal. He’s developed an ability to protect it, to keep it under pressure and to turn. This makes him a complete attacker, he’s very strong at running."
With Leeds United looking to bolster their attacking options, Kalimuendo's proven goal-scoring ability, coupled with his tactical awareness and physical attributes, make him an attractive target. Whether they can fend off interest from Newcastle United and finally secure his signature remains to be seen.