Leeds United should still make ambitious attempt to lure Amad Diallo despite worrying injury development
Leeds United want to sign Manchester United winger Amad Diallo and the Whites must still continue attempts to lure him to Elland Road despite a worrying injury development.
According to The Mirror [24 June], the Whites are eyeing a loan move for the Ivory Coast international as a potential replacement for Wilfried Gnonto.
Leeds United were handed plenty of encouragement to firm up their attempts to sign him this summer after the Sunday People [26 June, Page 56] reported that the former Atalanta gem could be set for another Old Trafford loan exit.
However, Manchester United manager Erik Ten Hag has admitted that he is yet to make a decision on the future of Amad Diallo amid loan interest from Leeds and according to iNews (13 July), Ten Hag told potential suitors he wouldn’t be making a decision too hastily.
The Ivorian international has starred for the Red Devils in pre-season so far, featuring in a 45-minute cameo against Leeds United in a 2-0 win in Norway on 12 July, but in a worrying new development, the decision on his future could yet take a little while longer.
During Manchester United’s 2-0 win against Arsenal in New York on Saturday (22 July), the young fleet-footed winger suffered an injury after a strong challenge from the Gunners’ new signing Jurrien Timber.
The impact of the tackle left Amad on crutches after the match, raising concerns about his fitness for the upcoming season.
However, Amad took to Instagram to allay fears he could be facing a long spell out, writing a ten-word message to his fans saying: “I feared the worst, ALHAMDOULILAH nothing serious back soon Inch’ALLAH.”
It remains to be seen how long Diallo would be out for, but this new injury may well put his first-team chances in doubt which means Leeds United may well be inclined to make another push for his signature once he returns to full fitness.
While persuading Diallo to choose Elland Road may prove a tricky task, it’s an opportunity Leeds United simply cannot afford to ignore and a few first-team incentives to aid his development even further could certainly sway his decision to join.
Playing under a manager in Daniel Farke who plays an attractive and progressive brand of football, while offering Diallo a starring role at Elland Road may prove enough to tempt him.
For a club of Leeds United’s size and pull, there is no harm in trying and Diallo represents a game-changing and era-defining signing for a club and fanbase in desperate need of some fresh and exciting impetus, especially on the pitch.
Diallo’s dazzling feet, technical skill, a knack for the audacious goal and unique creative edge in the final third should make him a top target for Leeds United to pursue to replace the likes of Jack Harrison and Gnonto.
Hailed as “Incredible” by his former Sunderland teammate Luke O’Nien, Diallo seems the perfect and arguably the most astute attacking reinforcement Leeds could make for the forthcoming season.
The 2022/23 campaign proved his eventual breakout season as he proved a Black Cat hero for Sunderland during their sensational Championship playoff exploits, scoring 14 goals and registering three assists from 39 games.
The 20-year-old ranked fifth in the Championship last season for goal-creating actions (20), seventh for successful take-ons (62), seventh for non-penalty goals (4.3) and 1st for goal-creating actions per 90 minutes [FBRef] showcasing just how established he was in the division last season.
Diallo’s injury actually presents a burgeoning opportunity for Leeds United and that shouldn’t stop them continuing their ambitious attempts to lure him to the Championship again.
In other Leeds United news, Phil Hay shares the next steps for one former Leeds United player after some confirmed transfer news emerged from the club.