Leeds United want breakout star Karamoko Dembele amid Leicester and Southampton interest
Leeds United are eyeing a possible move for Brest attacker Karamoko Dembele after his impressive performances on loan, according to HITC.
Graeme Bailey’s report for the outlet’s website on 19 March says that the Whites’ attention has been drawn to the 21-year-old thanks to his “dazzling” displays for Blackpool this season in League One.
Promotion rivals Southampton and Leicester City are both also on his case, as are a host of Premier League clubs, including sanctioned pair Everton and Nottingham Forest, as well as the likes of Brentford and Fulham.
The former Celtic sensation is tipped to be “belatedly” about to take a major step towards fulfilling his potential after his “devastating dribbling ability” drew focus as a youngster in Scotland.
It is reportedly unclear whether Brest see him as having a future in France after he returns from Blackpool but it would be available for a “sizeable fee”.
Leeds United in hunt for breakout Blackpool loan star
Dembele, 21, has been a regular in League One this term, making 32 league appearances while scoring six and assisting 11 times.
He barely featured last season for Brest but appears to have made major strides in his first sustained senior action.
It is perhaps debatable whether the Whites need to be looking at attacking reinforcements from lower divisions as they bid to make a return to the Premier League, especially since they already have outstanding options in his positions in the likes of Georginio Rutter and Crysencio Summerville.
However, it is clear from the number of clubs that are said to be watching his progress that he is seen as more than just a player doing well in the third tier but one who there are high hopes for that might be set to realise them.
Leeds United have made a habit in recent years of investing in young talent with a view to the future, albeit at younger ages than Dembele, with a very hit-and-miss record of success.
But if he is a late-bloomer that is destined for stardom then perhaps he could be a valuable addition to Daniel Farke’s side who can learn behind the established stars.
Whether Leicester could come up with a “sizeable” fee given their FFP concerns is maybe in doubt, but in light of the proposed changes to the top flight’s spending rules that will also be an issue Leeds have to keep in mind this summer.
In other Leeds United news, a Whites attacker who has featured multiple times this term has no way back and has played his last.
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