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Leeds United will likely need to sign a new striker next summer.
With Lukas Nmecha’s deal expiring at the end of the season, there’s been nothing that would suggest the 49ers plan to keep the German at Elland Road for longer.
Of course, our main man up top will still be Dominic Calvert-Lewin, you would imagine, regardless of whether a new face arrives in West Yorkshire or not.
Unlike with Nmecha, reports have emerged which suggest that Calvert-Lewin is set to sign a contract extension at Leeds United. This is despite the striker being unexpectedly linked with a move to Man United last week.
The Whites have also recently been named as one of the clubs in the race for a £40million striker as soon as January, but as a fanbase, I don’t think we should get our hopes up.
Leeds United named as one of the clubs ‘interested’ in Folarin Balogun
Folarin Balogun is a name that may ring a few bells for Leeds supporters. The American striker, who was previously at Arsenal, now plays his football over in France with AS Monaco.
The 25-year-old was on the brink of joining Everton over the summer for £40million. Until the move collapsed at the death.
Now reports from TEAMtalk have emerged claiming that Balogun is once again available in the January transfer window.
The forward has seen little game time this season, playing 116 minutes in total in Ligue 1 so far (Sofascore). Naturally, his representatives have been offering Balogun to other clubs as a result. A host of Premier League sides have been approached, according to the report.
Man United are one of the teams mentioned, as we know they are in dire need of a striker. But alongside Everton, Nottingham Forest and Newcastle, Leeds are also one of the clubs that have been “made aware of his availability.”
However, before any Leeds supporter potentially gets excited at this news, there are two big reasons why I don’t think this move will ultimately materialise.
Folarin Balogun to Leeds in January is unlikely
TEAMtalk’s report did not mention how much Balogun could cost in January.
But given he was on the brink of a £40million move just a few months ago, if he leaves Monaco in the winter transfer window, it makes sense for his fee to be around that £40million mark.
This is one reason why I don’t think we’ll sign Balogun in January. By now, we know the 49ers tend to avoid doing big business mid-season. In three January transfer windows under the 49ers, we’ve made just two loan signings.
The other reason is because of our managing director Robbie Evans’ previous comments.
Over the summer, Evans stated that the club had “no desire” to sign a striker who could replace Calvert-Lewin in the starting XI.
If we were going to be signing a striker, it would be a backup one only.
When you consider how much Balogun would likely cost, he would be a very expensive backup, to say the least. If we’re going to be spending near £40million on a player, they need to elevate our team and be one of the first names in the starting XI.
Balogun does not fit the ball. So I’d be stunned if we ended up signing him in general, never mind in January.
