Leeds United chase Million Manhoef and Manuel Benson double-deal after transfer development
Leeds United are now prioritising a double-deal for Manuel Benson and Million Manhoef before the transfer deadline, according to TEAMtalk.
The outlet reported on their website on 20 August that the Whites are set to miss out on prime attacking target Jonathan Rowe from Norwich City as they focus on adding a winger and a number 10.
But they believe that signing Burnley’s Benson and Stoke’s Manhoef alongside their current forward players will give the squad enough to at least secure a play-off place, if not automatic promotion.
Stoke don’t want to lose Manhoef and have put a £10million price tag on him to ward off a move, but Benson is reportedly expected to leave Turf Moor and the Whites are “firmly in the mix”, although a formal approach has yet to be made.
Leeds United want Burnley and Stoke men as Jonathan Rowe proves impossible from Norwich
If Leeds are to land both the Championship attackers then they will have big shoes to fill after Georginio Rutter and Crysencio Summerville’s exploits last term.
Daniel Farke’s side fell short of automatic promotion even with the two star forwards so there may be doubts that even standing still in terms of quality will be enough after they left for Brighton and West Ham respectively.
But the 49ers are going to have to be decisive in what is left of the transfer window because as things stand the squad has gone decidedly backwards, especially in attacking areas.
The Rowe pursuit appears to have only wasted around three weeks since Summerville completed his London Stadium switch after he informed the Canaries he has his heart set on Marseille [HITC, 20 August].
The Whites did manage to claw a chaotic transfer window round in the final days a year ago with the late captures of Glen Kamara and Ilia Gruev.
But the Finn’s exit to Rennes this summer is one that still hasn’t been properly replaced as planned [Leeds Live, 13 July] in a window that was supposed to avoid the slow start to the campaign.
The chances of that happening have already been squandered after three games without a win, so Farke looks like he will be playing catch-up once more.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites have been boosted by an unexpected £15m after another transfer was completed.
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