Leeds United travel to Arsenal this evening hopeful of picking up a shock positive result against one of the favourites for the Premier League title as more transfer business continues in the background.
Daniel Farke got off to the perfect start when his Leeds side edged out Everton with a deserved 1-0 home win on Monday night, a statement as United look to buck the trend of promoted sides going straight back down.
Not many will fancy Leeds today as they travel to the Emirates against Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal, but after a confidence-boosting first win back, Farke will be hopeful of keeping up strong momentum.
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Here, we round up all the latest news coming out of Elland Road as we look ahead to matchday two in the Premier League…
Arsenal v Leeds United team news – Ampadu, Havertz out, Eberechi Eze won’t play
Ethan Ampadu is the main bit of injury news coming out of the Leeds camp for today’s game, confirmed with an MCL injury after a horrid tackle from Everton’s Tim Iroegbunam on Monday.
He will miss the next three games – Arsenal, Sheffield Wednesday (EFL Cup), and Newcastle United – with a timeline of returning hopefully after the international break.
(REUTERS/Scott Heppell)
In positive news, Jaka Bijol could be set for his debut after sitting out against Everton due to a one-match ban that carried over from the Serie A.
As for Arsenal, versatile forward Kai Havertz has been ruled out for an unspecified period due to a knee injury, but it has prompted them to act fast in the market to secure the services of Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze for £67.5million.
The England playmaker could be a huge addition for the Gunners on the left, but won’t be available to face Leeds this weekend, as he’d have needed to be registered by 12pm on Friday to be eligible.
Leeds sign Noah Okafor for a £17.25m from AC Milan
Confirmed business came this week in the form of Noah Okafor, joining from AC Milan on a four-year deal.
(REUTERS/Daniele Mascolo)
The Swiss international caught attention during United’s friendly against Milan in Dublin earlier this month, and the club have since pushed through a transfer worth a reported £17.25million.
In terms of the sort of player Leeds are getting, Okafor may be listed as a striker on some websites, but will be featuring largely on the left flank for Leeds and could come in as a starter once fully integrated, while being capable of offering cover up front too.
Daniel Farke teased his involvement for this weekend against Arsenal in some capacity, likely to be available on the bench.
What comes after Noah Okafor? Daniel Farke suggests Leeds United’s next attacker signing
Okafor isn’t the end of Leeds’ business in the final third, though, as Farke spoke in his press conference about the need for “one or two” more fresh faces.
“We’ve also spoken before the two signings that we would strengthen our offence,”Farke said, per the YEP. “Let’s see if we do add even more to the offence, one or two more signings would be beneficial.
“Right now, with the signings of Dominic and Noah, the big pressure is away and we can concentrate right now on working with the boys, but I wouldn’t rule out one or two more signings on the offence.”
In terms of a specific profile Farke’s after, another winger would be ideal and specifically one that’s capable of operating as a ’10’ too:
“There’s always room for more quality. Wingers who can work hard and are good against the ball, disciplined, wingers who are quick and good one vs one, wingers who can play like a 10. This (latter option) would be a good solution for us,” he said, via Beren Cross.
James Justin boost revealed by Leicester City boss Marti Cifuentes
Last week, Leeds thought they were progressing towards signing Leicester City full-back James Justin as cover for Jayden Bogle and Gabriel Gudmundsson, only for Marti Cifuentes to name him as captain again away to Preston.
(Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith)
What followed was a hefty knock that forced Justin off and threw the move into doubt as Leeds awaited news on the 28-year-old’s injury prognosis.
Cifuentes, though, has indicated that Justin could well be available for selection this afternoon as the Foxes travel to Charlton Athletic for a 12:30pm kick-off.
Should Justin be fully fit again, Leeds could progress back towards signing the full-back, and his non-presence would raise eyebrows today, either suggesting he’s still not fit, or a deal is close.
Illan Meslier offered to Cesc Fabregas’ Como for £4.3m
On the outgoing front, Illan Meslier looks to be set for an exit in some capacity soon with his contract in the final year and his number one spot ripped from him by Lucas Perri.
Reports from Italy this week claimed that Leeds have offered Meslier to ambitious Serie A side Como for a fee of £4.33million, the side now managed by Cesc Fabregas.
(REUTERS/Claudia Greco)
Como’s top target is Barcelona’s Inaki Pena, but while Fabregas’ side want a long-term deal in place, Barcelona would prefer him to sign a new contract and leave on loan, hence why Meslier has entered the equation as a fallback.
Meslier’s book value (PSR terms) stands at a meagre £667,000, so any fee that Leeds get this month would generate a profit for the books.
Did Leeds United actually enquire for Stuttgart striker Ermedin Demirovic this week?
Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg revealed on Thursday that Leeds and Nottingham Forest have lodged enquiries for Stuttgart striker Ermedin Demirovic, who is expected to pursue an exit after a lack of playing time – despite scoring 15 Bundesliga goals last season.
Leeds’ name being cited in the report obviously caught the eye, alongside Farke saying he’s open to more attacker signings after Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Okafor, but that pair of Elland Road arrivals probably indicates what the truth is behind Demirovic.
United were well documented in their long-standing and overtly patient interest in Fulham’s Rodrigo Muniz, only for their price tag and Atalanta’s interest to push Leeds out of the running – lo and behold, days after Leeds fell out of this race, Calvert-Lewin was announced.
What looks to have unfolded here is that Leeds put the feelers out for alternatives to Muniz, including Demirovic, but eventually turned to the England international instead.
While enquiries for the Bosnian have only just come to light, it wouldn’t make much (if any) sense for Leeds to pursue Demirovic on top of the two forwards they’ve signed, so it likely came as part of Leeds’ response to missing out on Muniz, as opposed to being a signing we can now expect on top of Calvert-Lewin.
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