Leeds have apparently been the victims of desperate agents so far in this winter transfer window.
The reliable Graham Smyth believes 99% of transfer rumours involving Leeds so far this month have been incorrect – accusing agents of using the Whites to find moves for their players.
However, we will continue to report the latest rumours here on Leeds United News – and leave it up to you to decide what you want to believe.
One story from Jeunes Footeux recently claimed that Leeds saw a £17m bid rejected for Arnaud Kalimuendo back in the summer – before Nottingham Forest eventually blew that offer out of the water and sealed a £26m deal with Rennes in August.
Now, those at the City Ground have made a call which Leeds have every right to be irked by.
Nottingham Forest already set to get rid of Arnaud Kalimuendo despite ruining Leeds United’s chances of a summer deal
Amazingly, just over four months after taking Kalimuendo out of reach for Leeds, Nottingham Forest are now set to offloaded the Frenchman already – according to The Athletic.
Should Leeds follow Nottingham Forest’s path and risk a points deduction? 💸
“This summer, we spent everything we could. Unequivocally, we are maxing PSR out this season. If we had gone on to other targets [on deadline day], the consequences would have been seen in the current roster. More key players from last season would have had to go.”
Robbie Evans on Leeds United’s PSR position
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
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The Reds have handed the Suresnes-born striker just 14 appearances this season, with only three of those coming as starts. All three have come in the UEFA Europa League too.
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Bizarrely, a £26m asset has not been deemed ready to start in either the Premier League or the Carabao Cup, and Kalimuendo is now set to spend the second half of the season on loan at Eintracht Frankfurt.
Nottingham Forest have even agreed to potentially part ways with the 23-year-old permanently by allowing the German side to have a £23.5m purchase option.
Should Eintracht Frankfurt activate that clause, it would see Nottingham Forest make a swift loss on a player they spent a significant amount to take away from the grasp of Leeds.
Fortunately, the electric form of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who arrived on a free transfer and has bagged eight goals in 17 Premier League appearances so far, eases the frustration of this situation for Leeds.
Nevertheless, it must truly irk those on the recruitment team at Elland Road to have lost out on a target to a direct rival, only for them to decide just months later he can depart.
Photo by Wart Brinkerhof/Marcel ter Bals/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images
It would make sense if Kalimuendo was clearly not up to the required standard, but he has still managed to impress in his few starts, netting two goals in his three UEFA Europa League starts.
Leeds United could take another unsuccessful Nottingham Forest signing in James McAtee
Nottingham Forest remarkably spent over £180m on new signings during the summer, with many failing to shine so far.
Who do you want Leeds to sign in January? A striker surely has to be the priority!
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Not only has Kalimuendo been largely ignored, but another expensive addition in James McAtee has also fallen by the wayside, making just one Premier League start since his £30m switch from Manchester City.
Eintracht Frankfurt have secured Kalimuendo, but the England U21 international is still at the City Ground and could be saved by those at Elland Road – who also wanted him in the summer too.
The Daily Mail believe Leeds have made a new move for McAtee amid his struggles under Sean Dyche.
So, Leeds could yet save a player from his Nottingham Forest nightmare, despite ultimately missing out on Kalimuendo to Eintracht Frankfurt.
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