Joseph Paintsil wants Leeds United move in ‘striking’ decision after Southampton rejection as Genk make counterproposal
Genk have rejected the offer from Leeds United and made a “counterproposal” for Joseph Paintsil who wants a move to Elland Road, according to HLN.
The Belgian outlet reported in an update on their website Friday evening (25 August 5.53pm) that after the winger rejected Southampton and interest from Saudi Arabia it was “striking” that he can “see” a switch to Leeds.
The Whites’ €10million offer [£8.57m] consisted of €8m plus €2m in add-ons [£6.86m plus £1.71m] but the Belgian side has turned it down and come back with a new offer of their own, with “clarity” now expected in the coming days.
Sky Sports journalist Dharmesh Sheth has reported that Leeds United are far from happy with Genk’s behaviour after reaching an advanced stage in negotiations, feeling that they have “moved the goalposts”, and could walk away.
Price increase
On principle the Whites may want to end negotiations if they feel they are being messed around, with Genk preferring the swap deal with Southampton that Paintsil and opposite number Paul Onuachu weren’t interested in.
If the counterproposal isn’t extortionate then it may be worth continuing the pursuit since there is clearly significant interest from Elland Road to have got this far.
With Daniel Farke suggesting that issues around the wantaway pair of wide man Willy Gnonto and Luis Sinisterra have now been settled [Leeds Live, 24 August] there are questions over whether another winger is a priority.
The manager may be trying to guard against a similar issue arising in January should opportunities to leave come up again.
But with Crysensio Summerville to return from injury, with other options including Ian Poveda, Dan James and Jamie Shackleton, there are numbers in the squad when everyone is fit.
Big money has gone on a striker, at long, long last, with Joel Piroe coming in from Swansea, but more is needed in central midfield and surely a left-back is required.
If there is enough money for all that in addition to a Paintsil deal then landing a player who seems to have made a clear decision to choose Leeds would be a positive, but for now it seems to be in the balance.
In other Leeds United news, another transfer push has fallen apart after a “surprising” new development.