Leeds United and Nottingham Forest are both pushing to sign RC Strasbourg winger Dilane Bakwa before the transfer deadline.
The 22-year-old contributed to six goals and nine assists in all competitions last term and he has already notched a further two assistS in three games this season, which is why Leeds United are so keen.
Team Appearances Goals Assists
FC Girondins de Bordeaux 52 5 9
RC Strasbourg Alsace 69 11 20
Dilane Bakwa’s career stats
Bakwa’s first links to Leeds were alongside Bilal El Khannouss after an impressive season with Strasbourg. At that time, it was with Leeds targeting Bakwa as Igor Paixao’s alternative.
However, as has been revealed in recent days, Nottingham Forest remain very keen on Bakwa. The interest from Nuno Espirito Santo’s side is in spite of bringing in Dan Ndoye, James McAtee, and Omari Hutchinson this summer.
RC Strasbourg winger Dilane Bakwa
Photo by Sathire Kelpa/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images
Dilane Bakwa bid made by Nottingham Forest
Prior to signing Hutchinson and Ndoye, 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.
Leeds then looked to move ahead in the race to sign the winger, especially with Forest acquiring so many attacking players capable of operating out wide or in attacking midfield in the trio behind Chris Wood.
The developments since include that Bakwa was then left out of Strasbourg’s game on Sunday, but also that Leeds were stepping up their efforts to bring in Bakwa over the weekend.
Sacha Tavolieri’s reveal outlined Leeds were challenging Forest for his services in a £30 million move. But that did not mean Forest were totally out of the running, and one of the sides has now made a significant play.
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Tavolieri has the latest on the situation again. He explained that Forest sent a formal bid of €27.5 million and €7.5million of add-ons over the weekend to Strasbourg.
He adds that talks are currently underway to make a deal happen as Forest have reportedly now met with the asking price of Strasbourg’s expectations. Tavolieri says that Leeds are now “at distance.”
Dilane Bakwa dribbles the ball in a game for Strasbourg.
Photo by Sathire Kelpa/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images
How Leeds can beat Nottingham Forest to Bakwa
For Leeds to outbid Forest for Bakwa, it may take a bid in excess of what Sunderland paid Strasbourg for Habib Diarra. That has to be a concern for Leeds.
They could offer more than the €27.5 million up front fee to make a deal more appealing to Strasbourg, but Forest are now at their asking price.
He’s a creative player but Bakwa is known to play out wide and Daniel Farke might prefer a player like Juventus star Nico Gonzalez anyway.