Genk reject first Leeds United bid for Joseph Paintsil, counter offer of £8.5m fixed fee made

Genk have rejected a first bid from Leeds United for Joseph Paintsil and have returned with a counter offer, according to Sacha Tavolieri.

The Italian journalist posted on Twitter to say the Whites had made an initial offer of around £6.8million up front and £1.7m in add-ons.

He added that has been rebuffed from the Belgian side, who had asked for a fixed fee of £8.5m for the 25-year-old Ghana winger.

Paintsil has also been linked with a move to Championship rivals Southampton, but is reported to favour a move to Elland Road.

Pay the money

It is true that Leeds have to exercise an element of caution in the transfer window this summer.

Yes, they have the parachute payments to spend, yes they have rich new backers in the form of 49ers Enterprises, and yes some assets have been sold.

But they cannot just throw cash at deals willy, nilly. They need to spend smartly and build a squad that wants to work hard and compete to earn an immediate return to the Premier League.

Paintsil, though, would be a fantastic addition. An exciting player with great experience in a fiercely competitive league, in which he scored 17 goals last season.

There really does not seem to be too big of a difference in the structure of his deal and if Leeds really want to get this one over the line then frankly they should just pay what is being asked of them or risk losing out on another deal.

In other Leeds United news, Norwich's stance on Whites targets Kenny McLean and Josh Sargent has emerged.