Leeds United have kickstarted their summer transfer business with the signing of Lukas Nmecha. But he might not be the only striker arriving in the coming weeks.
Leeds United have signed Lukas Nmecha on a free transfer. The 26-year-old becomes Daniel Farke’s first signing of the entire year, let alone of the summer, and he arrives just in time too.
There’s ongoing rumours that Mateo Joseph is set to leave Leeds United in a possible £8.5million deal to Real Betis, who are also signing Junior Firpo on a free transfer this summer.
For Farke, Nmecha arriving certainly takes a bit of pressure off his shoulders. His striker department is already thin on the ground and Joseph leaving without an immediate replacement would’ve been a worry.
And Nmecha might not be the only forward who arrives at Elland Road very soon with Leeds United linked with a number of strikers right now. One such player is Rodrigo Muniz.
Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty ImagesLee Hendrie drops verdict on Rodrigo Muniz to Leeds United
Leeds United are interested in signing Muniz this summer. The Fulham striker was a super sub for the Cottagers last season, scoring eight goals in 33 Premier League games but boasting a better goals-per-minute than Erling Haaland. A move to West Yorkshire could be difficult though, as Fulham want £50million for Muniz this summer.
Speaking to Football League World, pundit Lee Hendrie has given his verdict on the matter. He thinks that Muniz to Elland Road could work, so long as Leeds can get the value down to around the £35million mark.
Hendrie said: “He could add something to Leeds, he’s a powerful centre-forward, and he’s got goals in his locker for sure, but I think the price tag might steer them away from that. You’re taking a plunge at £50million.
MORE LEEDS UNITED STORIES
“I know these days the fees for strikers are outrageous, and I think £50million might just be out of reach for Leeds. For how good he is, I think Leeds might put this one to the side, unless they can come to some sort of arrangement where they can get a decent price for him, maybe around £35-40million.
“If that happens, I do think Leeds might go all out to try and get him because I do think he could fit in their side. He’s a hungry centre-forward, and that’s the way that Leeds play.”
Photo by Rob Newell – CameraSport via Getty ImagesFulham fans have given Leeds United their answer on Rodrigo Muniz
Whilst very much a back up player for Marco Silva last season, or rather an impact player, Fulham fans are certain Muniz won’t leave the club this summer, having recently laughed at Leeds United’s reported interest in the Brazilian.
That might explain why Fulham have slapped a £50million price tag on his head: at 24 years old he’s still a relatively young player and next season he could be the main man for Fulham, with a track record of scoring goals in the Premier League now under his belt.
For Leeds, Muniz always seemed like an ambitious target, and getting Fulham to come down to £35million could be a lot to ask for. But expect Farke to have a long list of striker targets and expect there to be a lot of strikers on his radar that we haven’t heard of yet, like with the Nmecha deal.