Leeds United’s final days of the transfer window are being deemed as a failure already by supporters, and Adam Underwood has little over 48 hours to change that.
Facundo Buonanotte looked as though he would be the attacker that Daniel Farke craves ahead of the deadline on Monday. But Chelsea have hijacked a move, opening Igor Paixao scars for Leeds supporters.
It means Leeds now need to pivot quickly and go after another attacking player on their radar. Farke is said to want a player that can play in numerous attacking positions in the front line, a winger and a 10.
Buonanotte can do that, Nico Gonzalez is able to do that and even play up front while Bilal El Khannouss remains a target. El Khannouss was left out of Leicester’s side on Friday night, in a win over Birmingham.
Christantus Uche gives a thumbs up during Getafe vs Celta Vigo.
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Leeds now one of two clubs pushing for La Liga attacker
Another option is Getafe’s Nigeria international Christantus Uche. A player that has been regularly linked with a move to Elland Road this summer. It is said Uche will leave the Spanish side before the deadline.
According to Spanish reporter Jose David Palacio, there are now two Premier League clubs pushing to sign Uche, after Wolves’ move for Uche failed. Leeds are one of those, and the other is Crystal Palace.
The journalist says Leeds have already held talks, and Getafe are looking for a fee of at least £15.5m in order to conduct their final business before the deadline. He was speaking to radio station El Larguero.
The official club badge of Crystal Palace.
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“The only option is to go to the Premier League, and there are two teams pushing now. They are Leeds United, who contacted with Getafe to ask for the price of Christantus Uche at the end of the season.
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“Crystal Palace has arrived in the last few hours. Uche cost 500,000. If it comes out for a figure of around €18m (£15.5m), that would save Getafe, and allow them to make the seven registrations missing.”
Christantus Uche, the story so far after a spectacular 24-25 season
Uche was bought as a nobody from the lower depths of the Spanish footballing pyramid and yet, he was given a chance to shine – and he took it. He had a hand in 11 goals and assists in 38 games last season.
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This season, Uche already has a goal and an assist in Getafe’s first win of the season, a 3-0 victory over Celta Vigo. His first 12 months at a big club, and he produced – even becoming a Nigeria international.
Uche is unproven, but at less than £16m, it feels a low-risk signing. If Uche can take his La Liga form to Leeds, then it will be a snip and offers Leeds massive resale value – which can’t be said for other signings.