Major coup as Leeds United set to see off Saudi competition for Genk winger Joseph Paintsil
Leeds United are closing in on another signing after tabling a £10million offer to Genk for winger Joseph Paintsil [David Ornstein].
Making a bid of that size is one thing; seeing off competition from a team in Saudi Arabia another.
According to an update provided by Sacha Tavolieri on Twitter on Friday [25 August], Saudi Pro League side Al Wehda had a bid of around €6m (£5.1m) rejected for the Ghana international – half of what Leeds are ready to pay.
That news emerged after reports Southampton had also seen a straight swap involving Paul Onuachu rejected by the player, who is said to have his heart set on joining Leeds [David Ornstein].
It goes to show that Leeds still have serious pulling power, as even the Saudi riches were not enough to derail a transfer.
While this summer at Elland Road has been dominated by talk of outgoings, all of a sudden things are starting to look a lot brighter for Daniel Farke.
Wilfried Gnonto now looks set to stay after being integrated back into the squad, while Joel Piroe’s arrival from Swansea City on Thursday [24 August] provides Leeds with potentially a 20-goal striker.
Throw the arrivals of experienced quartet Karl Darlow, Sam Byram, Joe Rodon and Ethan Ampadu – even if he is still aged just 22 – into the mix and United all of a sudden have a team capable of challenging for an instant Premier League return.
Paintsil, assuming a deal officially gets over the line, will be one piece in that puzzle – and he may just be the best signing of the lot.
In other Leeds United news, Graham Smyth has provided an update on a “weird” possible transfer at Elland Road.