TEAMtalk reports that Leeds United are now pursuing a double deal for Manuel Benson and Million Manhoef before the transfer deadline.
On August 20, the outlet stated on its website that the Whites are set to miss out on Norwich City’s top offensive target Jonathan Rowe in order to sign a winger and a number 10.
However, they believe that adding Burnley’s Benson and Stoke’s Manhoef to their present forward line will be enough to earn a play-off spot, if not immediate promotion.
Stoke do not want to lose Manhoef and have set a £10 million price tag for him to deter a deal, but Benson is expected to leave Turf Moor and the Whites are “firmly in the mix,” though no formal proposal has been made.
Leeds United seek Burnley and Stoke players, as Jonathan Rowe proves impossible for Norwich.
If Leeds manage to sign both Championship strikers, they will have huge shoes to fill after Georginio Rutter and Crysencio Summerville’s performances last season.
Daniel Farke’s side fell short of automatic promotion even with the two star forwards, so there may be concerns that simply standing steady in terms of quality will suffice after they went for Brighton and West Ham, respectively.
However, the 49ers will need to be decisive in what remains of the transfer window, as the squad has taken a significant step back, particularly in offensive areas.
The Rowe pursuit looks to have only lasted about three weeks after Summerville finalized his London Stadium transition and informed the Canaries that he has his sights set on Marseille [HITC, 20 August].
The Whites did manage to salvage a hectic transfer window round in the final days of last year with the late signings of Glen Kamara and Ilia Gruev.
However, the Finn’s departure to Rennes this summer has yet to be effectively replaced as anticipated [Leeds Live, 13 July], in a window that was expected to avert the campaign’s poor start.
The odds of that happening have already passed after three games without a win, so Farke appears to be playing catch-up once more.
