Leeds United were bizarrely linked with another midfield signing at the weekend in Al Ahli man Franck Kessie, formerly of AC Milan and Barcelona.
Six signings have been completed already by Leeds this summer with multiple more expected to complete Daniel Farke’s squad for the looming survival bid.
Defence, then midfield, then goalkeeper was the order or proceedings for the Whites addressing their positions of concern thus far.
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Obvious clarity given on Leeds United’s supposed interest in Al Ahli’s Franck Kessie
Over the weekend, a claim was made from Middle Eastern X account @bt3 that Leeds had submitted an offer for Ivory Coast star Franck Kessie, currently playing for Al Ahli in Saudi Arabia.
It caught the attention of Leeds supporters online with the account in question having 1.2 million followers, therefore capable of a lot of traction on social media.
Franck Kessie celebrates for Al Ahli back in May, joined by former Leeds man Gjanni Alioski. (REUTERS/Stringer)
Despite this, two updates have already played down the notion of Leeds even being interested in the 28-year-old former AC Milan man, let alone lodging a bid to sign him.
The first update indicating Kessie is not on Leeds’ radar came from Daniel Farke’s comments on recruitment over in Germany, stating that midfield investment is complete:
“Central defence is sorted, central midfield is sorted,” he said, per LeedsLive.
“In all the other positions, we are still in the market… so that means, of course, also in the wide position of the defence.”
If that wasn’t enough, journalist Ben Jacobs has shared that Leeds’ reported interest in the midfielder is false and the club aren’t pursuing a deal.
Kessie joined Al Ahli from Barcelona in the summer of 2023 amidst the mass influx of prime talent heading out to Saudi Arabia on huge wages, currently in the same side as Edouard Mendy, Riyad Mahrez, Allan Saint-Maximin, and Ivan Toney among others joining from European clubs at the peaks of their careers.
Kessie interest false: Leeds United won’t be signing another deep midfielder
The arrivals of Sean Longstaff and Anton Stach were the only bits of investment we needed for our double pivot options this summer.
Beyond that, the only way we look at signing someone else is if we lose Ethan Ampadu, Ilia Gruev or Ao Tanaka, which doesn’t seem likely.
Five options for two or three positions is definitely enough, and we now must be focusing our efforts on the attack.
Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!