Leeds United work on offer to sign Kai Wagner from Philadelphia as left-back seeks Premier League transfer
Leeds United are putting together a bid for Philadelphia Union left-back Kai Wagner, according to LUFC Fanzone.
The reliable Instagram account, which has over 58,000 followers – Matuesz Klich, Illan Meslier, Stuart Dallas, Luke Ayling and Joe Gelhardt among them – claims a source has told them that Stuttgart, Dinamo Zagreb and Benfica are also keen on signing the 25-year-old German full-back.
It is understood that Leeds are getting ready to make an offer for the ex-Schalke player and while he’s keen on a move to the Premier League, Dinamo Zagreb have so far made the best financial offer.
LUFC Fan Zone was told by a source close to Wagner: “Leeds United, Benfica, Dinamo Zagreb and Stuttgart, if Borna Sosa leaves, are the current interested clubs in the player.
“At this moment in time, Dinamo Zagreb have the best financial offer on the table, however as a sporting aspect Leeds is the best option because of the Premier League.”
“Leeds are working on an offer, but currently Dinamo’s proposition is the best financially on the table – but Kai’s desire would be the Premier League.”
LUFC Fanzone has a history of being right with Leeds. For example, last year they broke the news that Kiko Casilla was going to be loaned out after speaking with his agent.
New left-back needed – again
It wouldn’t be a Leeds United transfer window without fans calling on Victor Orta to sign a new left-back.
We’ve had numerous left-backs come and go over the years and none have been more expensive than Junior Firpo, who joined the Whites from Barcelona last year after Ezgjan Alioski was released.
Firpo hasn’t shown he’s an upgrade on Alioski though with the Dominican full-back’s debut season at Leeds being full of injuries, yellow cards and bad performances.
Firpo’s currently injured, which means that Pascal Struijk could once again start at left-back this weekend when the Whites play Southampton at St Mary’s.
But Wagner is a proper left-back and arguably one of the best in the MLS as he recently played for the MLS All-Stars in their 2-1 win over the Liga MX All-Stars.
It all makes sense, really.
Jesse Marsch is a friend of Philadelphia manager Jim Curtin [Philadelphia Inquirer] and Leeds are growing their American connections at Elland Road.
And while Wagner isn’t an American, he’s playing for Brenden Aaronson’s former club and will fill a void that Leeds need to sort out.
In other Leeds United news, Fabrizio Romano has named the winner in Leeds’ race to sign this new player with a medical now “pending”.