Joseph Paintsil prefers Leeds United after turning down Southampton, £8.5million offer tabled – David Ornstein
Leeds United will include a sell-on clause in their offer to sign Genk winger Joseph Paintsil, who favours the Whites over Southampton, according to David Ornstein.
Writing in The Athletic’s transfer column (25 August, 11:12 am), the reliable journalist reported that Leeds have made an £8.5million offer for the 25-year-old and included the sell-on clause.
The Belgian club are yet to respond to the offer with Leeds willing to move on to other options if the situation does not progress quickly. The Ghana international has informed Genk that his preference is to join the Elland Road club.
Southampton previously had an agreement for the transfer of Paintsil, which would have seen Paul Onuachu head the other way, but both players rejected the proposed move.
Clear run
It seems now as if this transfer couldn’t be more straightforward for the club to complete. Paintsil is keen on the move, which is the most important part, and Genk are clearly willing to let him go having previously agreed a deal with Southampton. Now it is just a waiting game with a response yet to be received.
The fact that the Whites are willing to quickly move on to new targets suggests that they are looking to act swiftly in the transfer market to address the issues that they have so far faced at the beginning of the season, which include a host of injuries and departures. Paintsil would be a brilliant addition to the squad to help with those issues.
He has scored 32 goals and provided 25 assists from out wide in 143 appearances in Belgium, and is a proven international with time still on his side at the age of 25.
Hopefully, Leeds can get this deal done quickly, and receive the response they need.
In other Leeds United news, Southampton were also in the race for a player already announced by the club.