Leeds United were among the the clubs who had representatives at Stamford Bridge watching Bayer Leverkusen forward Nathan Tella in action against Chelsea. Daniel Farke is desperate to sign more attacking players before the end of the summer and has reportedly identified Tella, 26, as a potential target.
The Nigeria international started his senior career at Southampton and made his debut in a 3-0 win against Norwich City in June 2020. Although Tella impressed, on occasion, in a Saints shirt, he didn't make his mark until he spent the 2022/23 season in the Championship at Burnley.
This is where Tella showed his true potential, as he racked up 18 goals and six assists in 42 second-tier appearances for the Clarets, who were promoted back to the Premier League. Burnley tried to sign him on a permanent deal that summer, but he instead made the move to Leverkusen.
It's a decision that has paid off for the Stevenage-born front man, as he helped Leverkusen win the Bundesliga title in 2023/24, scoring five times and adding four assists in 24 league matches. The German club may have a struggled a little more last campaign, Tella still contributed with a nice return.
However, there has been talk that Tella could return to English football this summer. Indeed, according to TBR Football, Leeds, Brentford, Nottingham Forest and Burnley were present in west London on Friday to watch Tella in action during Leverkusen's pre-season fixture against Chelsea.
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Tella played 81 minutes in a right-wing back role, following the departure of Jeremie Frimpong to Liverpool, before the ex-Southampton winger was substituted for Montrell Cullbreath. Overall, Tella looked fit, sharp and caused Chelsea several issues down Leverkusen's right-hand side.
Capable of playing anywhere across the front line, with his preferred position said be on the right, Tella could add some much-needed pace and dynamism to Leeds' attacking department. He would provide some much-needed competition to Daniel James, who enjoyed a fine 2024/25 campaign.
Leeds have signed seven players this summer, with Lukas Nmecha, Jaka Bijol, Sebastiaan Bornauw, Gabriel Gudmundsson, Sean Longstaff, Lucas Perri and Anton Stach coming through the Elland Road doors. While the Whites have spent around £80million, they are still a little light up front.
Speaking after his side's 1-1 draw against Villarreal last Saturday, Farke called on the Leeds board to sign more attack-minded players. He said: "You could tell in the offensive area we need a bit more quality, we know this.
"If you compare our offence now to the Championship offence last season, we have lost our standout player in the second half of the season in Manor Solomon and we know we need additions in this position."
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