Leeds United’s pursuit of Igor Paixao failed and now it looks as if Leeds could suffer more frustration in their bid to sign a striker, with cash-rich Newcastle United on the scene.
Newcastle are set to lose Alexander Isak this summer, and are desperately scouring the market to bring in a replacement this summer. Perhaps unsurprisingly, it is already impacting Leeds’ bid to sign a striker.
Leeds have been linked with Fulham’s Rodrigo Muniz throughout the summer, having seen a £32m bid rejected for Muniz at the beginning of the window. There is hope Leeds can do a deal for the Brazilian.
But on Wednesday, it emerged Newcastle had opened talks with intermediaries ahead of a £40m deal for Muniz. On Thursday, reports now say Newcastle have held talks for another striker Leeds want to sign.
Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty ImagesAfter Muniz, Newcastle hold talks for another Leeds target
With Muniz’s price tag always likely to be problematic given Leeds have already spent £80m without selling, Leeds have turned their attention to Roma’s Artem Dovbyk. The Italians want a £30m fee for him.
But now, a report from Corriere Dello Sport claims Newcastle are in talks over a deal for Dovbyk, too. Newcastle are likely to be in the market for two strikers, having allowed Callum Wilson to leave on a free.
With Newcastle possibly set to spend the fee they receive for Isak on both Muniz and Dovbyk, there is a very real chance that the two strikers being linked with Leeds end up heading to Tyneside this summer.
Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty ImagesHave Leeds been linked with any other big-name strikers?
Nikola Krstovic’s name often pops up when talking about strikers Leeds are supposedly keen on, but sources from Leeds have always maintained that they are not looking to sign Lecce’s Montenegro ace.
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Dom Calvert-Lewin supposedly held talks with Leeds, but wanted £150,000 a week. Obviously, Leeds have baulked at that wage and backed away from talks. Sunderland are set to sign Marc Guiu on loan.
Beto at Everton is another target but with Leeds and David Moyes’ side likely to be rivals next season, the chances of Everton selling Beto to Leeds is always unlikely. Leeds may be right back at square one.