Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke wants the club to do more business at the top end of the pitch before the summer transfer window closes next week.
Speaking ahead of the clash with Arsenal on Saturday, the German head coach outlined how he would like the rest of the window to look over the next seven or eight days.
LEEDS FARKE
Farke said: “Let's see if we do even more offensive signings. One maybe two would be beneficial. I'm not too strong about numbers. I think it's necessary to do something in the full-back position.
“Noah and Dominic are two really good options but to have two or more signings for the offensive it would be beneficial but while not doing anything silly.”
Leeds were put to the sword by Arsenal, losing 5-0 at The Emirates, after those comments from Farke, and the front three showed that they may not be up to the task of starting week-in-week-out in the Premier League.
Wilfried Gnonto, for example, was not a guaranteed starter in the Championship for the German boss last season, yet has found himself starting both games in the top-flight this term.
Why Leeds may need an upgrade on Wilfried Gnonto
The Italy U21 international only started 26 of his 43 appearances in the second tier last term, per Sofascore, as Dan James and Manor Solomon were the preferred wing pairing when fit.
Solomon's return to Tottenham Hotspur at the end of his loan spell left a vacant position on the left flank, though, which has been occupied by Gnonto so far.
gnonto-aaronson-leeds
It remains to be seen where new signing Noah Okafor will fit in, as the former AC Milan man has played on both wings and as a central striker in his career.
This means that one of the forwards that Farke wants to add to the squad before the end of the window could be a left-sided attacker to fill that spot that Solomon vacated, as Gnonto has yet to prove that he can be a regular starter in the Premier League.
The Italian forward scored nine goals and provided six assists in the Championship last term, which was a solid return, but he has had a less-than-impressive start to the top-flight campaign.
Wilfried Gnonto Vs Everton Vs Arsenal
Minutes 67 66
Shots 3 0
Shots on target 0 0
Key passes 0 0
Big chances created 0 0
Dribbles completed 0/2 0/2
Duels won 4/10 4/8
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, Gnonto did not register a shot on target, create any chances, or complete any of his attempted dribbles in over two hours of football in the first two matches.
Leeds United's Mateo Joseph celebrates with Ethan Ampadu and Wilfried Gnonto
Leeds United's Mateo Joseph celebrates with Ethan Ampadu and Wilfried Gnonto
The 21-year-old attacker, who scored two goals in 24 games in the Premier League in the 2022/23 campaign, may not have what it takes to deliver quality on a regular basis at that level, which is why the club may need an upgrade on him.
Leeds ready to pay £30m to sign new forward
According to journalist Sacha Tavolieiri, Leeds United are keen on a deal to sign Strasbourg winger Dilane Bakwa before the end of the summer transfer window, and he could be an upgrade on Gnonto.
The reporter claims that the Whites are 'leading' the race to bring the French forward over to England, with Nottingham Forest also said to be interested in snapping him up.
Tavolieri adds that Leeds are ready to pay the £30m asking price that Strasbourg have placed over Bakwa's head, which is why they are now at the front of the queue of suitors.
However, the journalist does not reveal whether or not the Whites are in active talks with the Ligue 1 side or if they have already made an offer for the 22-year-old star.
dilane-bakwa-leeds-strasbourg
It is now down to the Championship champions to agree a deal with Strasbourg and convince the player to make the move to West Yorkshire, before Forest have a chance to swoop in.
Why Leeds should sign Dilane Bakwa
The Whites should push to bring Bakwa to Elland Road before the end of the summer transfer window because he could arrive as a big upgrade on Gnonto, as a player who can play on the right or the left flank.
Whilst the Italian gem is only 21 and has room to develop into a Premier League-grade starter, the Strasbourg star's performances in Ligue 1 suggest that he is ready to hit the ground running with goals and assists.
RC Strasbourg's Dilane Bakwa celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates
RC Strasbourg's Dilane Bakwa celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates
Bakwa created one 'big chance' and registered an assist in his team's 1-0 win over Metz in Ligue 1 on the opening day of the current season, before he came off the bench to provide another assist against Nantes on Sunday.
The 22-year-old star's performances in Ligue 1 in the 2023/24 and 2024/25 campaigns also suggest that he has the quality at the top end of the pitch to make a real impact for Leeds in the Premier League on the left wing.
Dilane Bakwa (Ligue 1) 23/24 24/25
Appearances 31 30
xG 3.17 4.36
Goals 3 6
Big chances created 13 12
Key passes per game 1.6 1.6
Assists 6 8
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, Bakwa has created an eye-catching 25 'big chances' for his teammates in 61 games in Ligue 1 in the last two seasons.
This shows that the French star, who was described as "menacing" by U23 scout Antonio Mango, could provide more than Gnonto as both a scorer and a creator of goals, given what he has shown in one of Europe's major leagues in comparison to the Italian's exploits in the Premier League.
Bakwa's ability to play on either the left or the right flank also provides Farke with flexibility in how he can set his side up. He could play Bakwa on the right, as a left-footed player, with Okafor on the left, or the French star on the left with Dan James on the right, or even vice versa.
The signing of the £30m-rated star would, therefore, open up a lot of interesting possiblities for the manager, tactically, whilst also providing him with an upgrade on Gnonto, on both flanks.