It now seems unlikely that Leeds United will be signing Lazio striker Vedat Muriqi in the January transfer window.
That’s after a report from A Spor claimed that the Kosovo international is close to re-signing for Fenerbahce on loan.
Following a prolific 2019/20 campaign with Fenerbahce, Muriqi made a big money move to Lazio in the summer of 2020.
Things however, have so far failed to work out for the 27-year-old in Italy, with the striker finding the net only two times in 48 games for the Serie A side.
Even so, with Leeds seemingly in need of centre forward cover this month, reports earlier this week claimed that the Elland Road club are interested in signing Muriqi.
Now however, it appears that a move to bring the striker to Elland Road, will not be happening this month.
According to this latest update, Fenerbahce are now closing in on a temporary deal for Muriqi, with talks expected to become more concrete in the coming days, and the striker himself apparently keen to return to Turkey.
This may not be the worst update from a Leeds United perspective in all honesty.
The injuries to Patrick Bamford this season, have undoubtedly highlighted the club’s need to sign another centre forward sooner rather than later.
But given Muriqi’s struggle for goals at Lazio over the last season-and-a-half, it would have felt like a risk to turn to him to fill that role in Marcelo Bielsa’s side.
It will therefore, be interesting to see if Leeds do turn their attention to any other potential striker signings, between now and the window closing at the end of the month.