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Leeds United approach Bordeaux as they pursue French striker Sekou Mara
Leeds United have approached Bordeaux with an enquiry about French striker Sekou Mara, according to the Mail on Sunday.
The newspaper reported on 17 July (page 142) that the Yorkshire club have “asked about” the 19-year-old centre-forward after Bordeaux were relegated to France’s third-tier in June due to their financial crisis [The Athletic].
Bordeaux finished bottom of Ligue 1 in 2022/23 but were forced to suffer a double relegation as punishment for their crippling financial issues.
French hotshot
Although Bordeaux’s season was an absolute calamity last term, Mara was one of their bright lights.
The Paris-born teenager scored six goals in 26 Ligue 1 appearances for Les Girondins with five of them coming in the final seven league games of the campaign.
Mara is primarily a centre-forward but he can also play out wide on the left wing.
He’s a France Under-21 international and according to L’Equipe journalist Loic Tanzi on 15 July, he’s valued at £12.7million (€15million) by Bordeaux even though they’re set to start next season in France’s third-tier.
As well as that £12.7million, Bordeaux also want add-ons and a resale clause tied into any deal.
It’s clear that Mara is rated highly with Newcastle and Atletico Madrid said to be on his tail.
According to Breaking The Lines, Mara is “predicted to be the next star of French football” and only Kylian Mbappe took more shots per 90 minutes than the Bordeaux teenager last season.
His movement is said to be “somewhat reminiscent of a young Thierry Henry”.
They’re very hefty claims about the youngster.
And for around £12.7million, it seems like Leeds might be getting a bargain.
However, there’s a lot of interest in Mara – understandably so – so we wouldn’t expect fans to get their hopes up just yet.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites are on the verge of winning the race to sign this player amid a £96,000-a-week development.