Leeds United manager Daniel Farke is worried about his team ahead of their Premier League opener against Everton a week from today. The Whites’ boss is yet to get the attacking reinforcements needed to feel confident about his squad in the top flight.
Farke has been vocal about the fact that his squad are not ready for the long grind of a Premier League season because of the lack of attackers signed this summer. The German insisted that his attacking options this season are weaker compared to what he had in the Championship last year.
Most Read on The Leeds Press
Leeds have three key priorities for the final three weeks of the transfer window. The club want to sign a striker who can lead the line in the Premier League, a winger who will be the replacement for Manor Solomon in the team and a versatile attacking midfielder who will be an upgrade on Brenden Aaronson.
Signing the attacking midfielder is a key part of Leeds’ plans, but their pursuit of one of the top targets could now hit a roadblock due to the injury of a key Premier League star ahead of the start of the new season.
Can you name these 10 former Leeds United strikers?
James Maddison’s injury could end up affecting Leeds United and their transfer plans
James Maddison has suffered a serious knee injury during pre-season, and the Tottenham attacking midfielder is facing a lengthy lay-off, which could see him miss the entire 2025/26 campaign.
Tottenham boss Thomas Frank wants Spurs to sign a replacement, and the north London club have their eyes on Leicester City’s Bilal El Khannouss.
Leeds have held talks with the player’s representatives, and are prepared to pay the £24.5m release clause to snare him away from the Foxes this summer.
However, according to GiveMeSport, Tottenham were interested in signing El Khannouss before Maddison suffered the unfortunate injury.
The midfielder’s injury has further increased their need to bring in a new player to replace him in the squad for the upcoming season.
Leeds have been pushing to try and secure a deal for him, but Maddison’s injury could push Tottenham to do a deal to sign the attacking midfielder.
Spurs can offer Champions League football and a life in London to El Khannouss to lure him away from under Leeds’ nose in the ongoing transfer window.
Leeds could pay the price for dragging their feet on certain deals
The Whites turned their attention towards the El Khannouss deal after they lost out on Paixao, and the release clause should have made it a straightforward transfer.
However, it’s been a few weeks since they held talks with the player’s representatives, and a deal is yet to be done.
If Tottenham really push to land the Leicester star, Leeds can do little to convince the player to move to Elland Road over north London.
Leeds have dragged their feet on certain deals this summer, especially when it comes to attackers, and could end up paying a higher price than the few million they are trying to save now.
Related Topics