Leeds United are in interested in a deal to sign KRC Genk striker Joseph Paintsil, according to Sky Sports News.
According to Sky Sports, reporting in their live transfer blog (22 August, 16:49pm), the Ghanaian international is one of a number of striker options Leeds are currently looking at.
It is believed that Genk would consider offers in the region of €10million (£8.5m) as Daniel Farke desperately looks to bolster his ranks in attack.
Leeds need to move fast
Leeds are in need of fresh impetus in attack after seeing the likes of Rodrigo Moreno depart since their relegation from the Premier League, while club veteran Patrick Bamford continues to struggle with injury issues, and the jury still being out on Georginio Rutter.
Farke is suffering with a rather depleted squad right now, having been forced to field just eight substitutions against Birmingham City on Saturday 12 August due to several injuries, while the likes of Wilfried Gnonto [The Athletic, 12 August] and Luis Sinisterra [Phil Hay, 12 August] both choosing to sit out of recent matches due to their desire to seek a transfer elsewhere.
After the latest Elland Road departure of Jack Harrison, the Whites’ desperate need for attacking reinforcements have been made abundantly clear in the past few games, with a reliable goalscorer need to take the club to the next level.
Paintsil proved a standout performer for the Belgian outfit last season, registering a whopping 32 goal contributions (18 goals, 14 assists) from 39 games in all competitions, marking him out as one of the most productive African strikers on the continent along with Victor Osimhen and Mohammed Salah.
And the Whites could do with such a striker possessing tremendous productivity both in scoring goals and creating them too, and Paintsil emerged as one of the best in the Belgian Pro League in a terrific 22/23 campaign.
If Leeds United hold ambitions to secure Premier League promotion at the first time of asking then a reliable and consistent goalscorer must be at the forefront of their transfer plans in these remaining days of the window, and Paintsil could turn out to be the excellent option.
In other Leeds United news, Sky Sports reporter Alan Myers shares an update on the future of Wilfried Gnonto and the 49ers’ stance on his position and potential exit.
Graham Smyth provides update on Leeds United pursuit of Brighton starlet Facundo Buonanotte
Leeds United have not made a move to sign Brighton & Hove Albion’s Facundo Buonanotte, according to Graham Smyth.
Argentine journalist Bruno Gonzalez Garcia claimed on Monday [21 August] that Leeds were on the verge of announcing a loan deal for the playmaker.
Smyth wrote: “The YEP understands that reports of a move for Brighton’s Facundo Buonanotte are wide of the mark but his profile as a chance creator would make sense.”
False dawn
For all the talk of exits in recent weeks at Elland Road – and ongoing questions over the futures of Wilfried Gnonto and Luis Sinisterra – Leeds could really do with bringing in a new player or two before the window closes.
Suggestions of a deal being all but agreed with Brighton for Buonanotte would have got supporters a little more upbeat for the season ahead, but that transfer does not look remotely close to being sorted.
Buonanotte scored one and assisted another in 13 Premier League appearances for Brighton last season, despite only turning 18 in December, which would have made his arrival in West Yorkshire a bit of a coup.
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