Phil Hay: Leeds United ready to meet demands of Charles De Ketelaere
Leeds United have decided that a new forward is at the top of their agenda as they attempt to bolster their attack, according to The Athletic’s Phil Hay.
The club are looking to add more firepower to their team due to the loss of Brazilian talisman Raphinha, who’s on his way to Barcelona.
Ex-Yorkshire Evening Post reporter Hay has revealed the club’s transfer strategy as they have been linked with Club Brugge’s Charles De Katelaere and PSG’s Arnaud Kalimuendo.
Writing via his personal Twitter account on 13 June, Hay said: “In terms of what next for Leeds in the transfer market, they’re happy to match Club Brugge and Charles De Ketelaere’s demands.
“It’s been made clear to them that he favours a move to Milan and the club are also firm admirers of PSG’s Arnaud Kalimuendo.
“A new forward tops the agenda.”
Time for a new forward?
It is clear that the two forwards that the club is targeting are De Ketelaere and Kalimuendo, with the intention of the arriving forward helping current striker Patrick Bamford.
The striker, who was previously involved in the England set-up, has struggled with injury recently and was only limited to nine Premier League appearances last season.
However, both of their reported targets outscored Bamford last season with the Belgian hitting 18 goals in 49 appearances last season and Kalimuendo hitting 13 goals 38 appearances.
Both strikers are younger than Bamford, and would add youthful energy and firepower to Marsch’s attack and would help share the goalscoring burden throughout the team.
Both strikers are being courted by other clubs with Ketelaere being strongly linked with AC Milan and Kalimuendo reportedly being courted by Newcastle.
The Whites should try and secure one of their striker targets to give themselves a better chance at avoiding relegation next season.
In other Leeds United news, the club may me tempted to sell Jack Harrison if a ridiculous offer comes in.