Leeds United are still eyeing more attackers ahead of the transfer deadline next Monday, in spite of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Noah Okafor, and Lukas Nmecha.
It’s been made clear by Daniel Farke that he wants a hybrid playmaker, and one with the ability to operate as a No.10 or winger to give Leeds United more versatility in attack after that trio.
Facundo Buonanotte is one of two options for Leeds, as we exclusively revealed. It appears as though the other player Leeds want is Dilane Bakwa.
RC Strasbourg’s Bakwa was linked alongside Bilal El Khannouss of Leicester City and, since then, Beren Cross has continued to link Bakwa with Leeds.
RC Strasbourg winger Dilane Bakwa
Photo by Sathire Kelpa/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images
Nottingham Forest step up efforts to sign Leeds target Dilane Bakwa
Yesterday, it was revealed Leeds were stepping up their efforts to bring in Bakwa. Sacha Tavolieri’s report outlined how the Whites were challenging Nottingham Forest for his services.
Prior to signing Omari Hutchinson, Forest had a £26 million bid for Bakwa rejected. There was talk that Forest were set to sign Bakwa for £28 million at one stage as well.
That has not materialised and Leeds were said to be ahead of their Premier League rivals over a move for the creative winger, per Tavolieri.
Team Appearances Goals Assists
FC Girondins de Bordeaux 52 5 9
RC Strasbourg Alsace 68 11 19
Dilane Bakwa’s career stats
Since yesterday’s report, there have been further developments regarding Bakwa. That’s because Tavolieri has revealed Forest’s efforts have not ended as talks intensify over the 22-year-old’s future.
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Tavolieri states that Forest “remain close” to Bakwa and they are fighting to close the gap Leeds have built with Strasbourg. He states things will change in the coming hours and it appears further developments are expected.
RC Strasbourg winger Dilane Bakwa
Photo by Sathire Kelpa/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images
Has there been any other Premier League interest in Bakwa previously?
TBR Football have previously reported in March, via Leeds United News’ chief transfer correspondent Graeme Bailey, that Bakwa has had “close tabs” kept on him from Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United in the past.
Strasbourg are owned by BlueCo, alongside Chelsea. The Blues have also had interest in Bakwa, per TBR’s report. The report states club personnel have been hugely impressed with him.
None of them have made a move like Leeds and Forest have, but that trio are also joined by Newcastle United and Brentford in terms of clubs who have been on scouting missions to watch Bakwa.
Given his impressive rise, TBR also write that clubs across Europe — including Bayer Leverkusen, Eintracht Frankfurt, and Marseille — have also been watching him and keeping tabs on his progress.