Leeds United’s search for an attacking midfielder is ongoing as the deadline approaches and the 49ers have now reportedly submitted a fresh offer to sign their latest target.
Leeds' search for attacking additions
Daniel Farke has been clear since pre-season that Leeds need attacking reinforcements. And whilst Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Noah Okafor have arrived to provide the German with the start of a solution, the Whites are still searching for the missing piece in the form of an attacking midfielder.
Earlier this summer, it looked as though the versatile Igor Paixao was going to be the man to arrive for the Yorkshire club, only for Marseille to swoop in and hijack their move. The Brazilian would have been an excellent addition after scoring 18 goals and assisting another 19 in all competitions for Feyenoord in the last campaign. Nonetheless, the Whites were forced to turn elsewhere.
Following Paixao, both Facundo Buonanotte and Gus Hamer emerged as options before the former opted to join Chelsea instead of moving to Elland Road – seemingly leaving just Hamer.
The Sheffield United star has been part of a struggling Blades side who are still getting over the heartbreak of last season’s playoff final defeat against Sunderland. Whether he remains a Sheffield United star is the big question. Leeds reportedly submitted an opening bid to sign the talented midfielder, but failed to match the Blades’ valuation.
When it comes to Premier League quality, meanwhile, there’s no doubt that Hamer is good enough to step up. The Sheffield United man was the star of the Championship last season and more than deserved a place in the top flight, but time will tell whether Leeds make that happen.
The bad news for Hamer is that he’s still not the only one on Leeds’ shortlist of options. He’s reportedly joined by a Premier League option, who has already been subject to an offer.
Leeds launch Buendia bid
As reported by The Telegraph’s John Percy, Leeds launched an opening offer to sign Emiliano Buendia before receiving a swift reply from the Argentine, who has decided to stay put in the Midlands.
It’s another blow for Leeds, whose offer wasn’t good enough for Hamer and project seemingly not attractive enough for Buendia to leave them back to square one in the final hours of the transfer window.
Like Hamer, Buendia would have been a quality option. The former Norwich City star was the subject of Unai Emery’s praise last season, with the Spaniard telling reporters: “Of course, I am very happy with a lot of players. Today, especially with Emi Buendia, because he has the option to leave but today we needed him and he played fantastic with his qualities, fantastic mentality and fantastic with his commitment with the squad.”
