A striker who was linked with a move to the Premier League with Leeds United could be playing Champions League football next season, as a new club showed interest in his services.
Leeds United remain in the market for attacking reinforcements after their need for firepower was demonstrated in their heavy 5-0 defeat against Arsenal.
Leeds’ priority now appears to be versatile attackers who can play across the forward line, such as Strasbourg’s Daline Bawka. However, head coach Daniel Farke admitted he could still bring in another out-and-out striker following the signing of Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Inter Milan forward Medhi Taremi is one striker who has been linked with a move to Elland Road this summer, as he looks set to leave Inter after being relegated to their under-23s.
Now, it appears that the £9 million-valued Taremi could be set for a move to a Champions League club, as he nears the exit door with Inter.
Mehdi Taremi in action for Iran.
Photo by ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images
One-time Leeds United target wanted by Champions League club
According to a report in the print edition of the Gazzetta Dello Sport, via TMW, from the 24th August, Taremi has emerged as a potential target for Champions League club PSV Eindhoven.
However, that link was shut down by the PSV Eindhoven boss, Peter Bosz, who stated that he has no knowledge of the club’s potential move for Taremi.
Speaking in a press conference, Bosz said: “Taremi? I know absolutely nothing about it. I don’t know if his entourage is present here in Eindhoven. Maybe, but you shouldn’t believe everything. A footballer will never arrive here without me knowing about it or without them having spoken to me about it.
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“I certainly know Taremi as a player. But the thing that makes me smile is that his agent is the same as mine. So it would be very close, but he never proposed the boy to me, nor asked me what I thought.
“When I was at Leverkusen, yes, because Taremi was at Porto, but not here. That’s why I can honestly say that I know nothing, and it seems unlikely to me.”
Joel Piroe’s performance against Arsenal highlights need for reinforcements
Whilst Leeds’ pursuit of Taremi appears to have gone cold in recent weeks, their performance in defeat against Arsenal highlighted the need for reinforcements in attack.
Although Leeds conceded five goals, their inability to gain a foothold in possession stemmed from the Whites’ forward line, with centre forward Joel Piroe particularly struggling.
Joel Piroe in action against Everton.
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
In his 58 minutes on the pitch, Piroe managed just 12 touches, making one pass into the final third and losing all three of his aerial duels against Arsenal’s dominant back line, according to the stats from FotMob.
Lukas Nmecha looked more likely but had a similarly frustrating evening as Leeds’ lone striker following his introduction from the bench. After a chastening performance, Leeds need to consider the balance of their frontline against the best opposition the Premier League has to offer.