Leeds United face new competition in the race to sign one of their leading transfer targets, giving Daniel Farke a headache in the closing days of the transfer window.
With a deal for AC Milan winger Noah Okafor now imminent, Daniel Farke is edging closer to having a complete squad for his assault on the Premier League.
The Whites have brought in eight new arrivals already, with Okafor set to be Leeds’ ninth new signing. Leeds are now looking to complete their final signings of the window as they prepare to face Arsenal in a tough early test.
Leicester City full-back James Justin looks likely to be one of those deals to provide cover at full-back and allow Isaac Schmidt to join Werder Bremen.
Leeds are also in the market for a versatile attacker, with Matthis Abline of Nantes considered to be a viable option. However, Farke’s side now face competition, as his former club enters the race to secure his signature.
Matthis Abline of France seen during the UEFA U21 Championship
Photo by Grzegorz Wajda/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
Leeds United face Matthis Abline competition
According to a report from French publication Foot Mercato, Leeds will have to fight off interest from Abline’s former club, Stade Rennais, if they are to complete a deal for the French forward.
Abline came through the Rennes academy, alongside Leeds favourite Georgino Rutter. Les Rouges et Noirs are interested in a deal to sign their academy product to bolster their forward line, having sold another ex-Leeds target, Arnaud Kalimuendo, to Nottingham Forest.
The report states: “According to our information, Stade Rennais have decided to acquire a certain Matthis Abline. A name that will surely ring a bell with Rennes fans, as the FC Nantes striker was trained in Brittany.
MORE LEEDS UNITED STORIES
“Sold to Nantes a year ago for around ten million euros after a successful first loan spell with the Canaries, Abline, who scored nine goals and provided two assists in Ligue 1 last season, could make a sensational return to his youth club.”
Matthis Abline in action for Nantes.
Photo by DAMIEN MEYER/AFP via Getty Images
Abline failed to make his mark in his first spell with Rennes
Rennes have one of the most productive academies in Europe, having produced big names such as Ousmane Dembele and Eduardo Camavinga in the recent past.
Abline is another player who has come through the Breton club’s system, but failed to make his mark during his first spell with the club.
Club Appearances Goals Assists
Nantes (incl. 23/24 loan) 61 16 3
Stade Rennais 25 3 1
AJ Auxerre (Loan) 22 3 2
According to the data from Opta, the versatile forward made 25 appearances for the club in Ligue 1, the Europa League and the Conference League, scoring just three times and registering one assist.
Now, with Nantes’ manager, Luis Castro, preparing for life without him, he must decide if he wants to go back to the club where his career began and attempt to improve his record the second time around.