Leeds United will no doubt be alert to transfer market opportunities emerging now that the window is open. That includes World Cup stars featuring across the pond.
United’s recruitment over the summer window is going to be strategic once again. The 49ers have sought value in their signings ever since taking over, and have a pretty strong success rate too.
This summer, Paraag Marathe expects a host of signings that can raise the bar of the starting lineup. With that, there’ll surely be one eye on those involved in the World Cup.
Of course, basing our recruitment solely on performances in this tournament is unwise. However, if there’s a player that already featured high on the shortlist, their exploits on the international stage will be taken into account too.
Here, I look at three World Cup players that could be available for a bargain price
Ladislav Krejci – Wolves, Czechia
Heavily linked with Elland Road already, Wolves centre-back Ladislav Krejci is someone that would certainly fit a particular recruitment focus of Leeds’.
Pascal Struijk’s future is uncertain at Elland Road. That means we need a left-footed centre-back to take his place, should he leave.
Krejci, 27, has just been relegated with Wolves and could be attainable for a somewhat reduced fee, relative to what he’d typically cost.
What he lacks compared to Struijk’s elegance on the ball, he more than makes up for in his athleticism and ability to provide huge threat from set pieces.
Wolves dropping into the Championship should see Krejci be attainable for a fee that Leeds deem worthy of exploring.
Mohamed Amoura – Wolfsburg, Algeria
Onto another relegated side nicknamed the Wolves, Germany’s Wolfsburg.
Their 29-year stay in the Bundesliga came to an end this season with relegation via the playoffs. And, it could spell trouble for their aims to retain star players, including forward Mohamed Amoura.
The Algerian attacker scored eight and assisted three in the 25/26 season, off the back of 10 and nine apiece in the 24/25 campaign. He was also Algeria’s top scorer during World Cup qualifying with 10 goals and four assists in 10 games.
As an alternative option to play off of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, akin to Lukas Nmecha and Noah Okafor, Leeds could certainly do worse than Amoura.
Last summer, Amoura was expected to command up to £34million. But, expect that to be significantly less now, which might catch United’s eye.
Leeds may want to add a bit of star power in attack and vary up the front line behind Calvert-Lewin as the target man. Amoura could add what Farke is looking for.
Jhon Lucumi – Bologna, Colombia
Back to left-footed centre-backs, it does look as though Leeds will have to get our ducks in a row in the event of Struijk leaving.
Another option at the World Cup could be Bologna’s Jhon Lucumi, representing Colombia in defence.
The 6ft1in defender was highly sought after last summer, particularly by Sunderland to the tune of £24million. But, the Serie A side managed to retain his services for another season, at the cost of seeing his contract edge towards 2027 expiry.
Lucumi, soon to be 28, could well follow a similar pipeline to Leeds’ hit signing Jaka Bijol, who also joined from a mid-table Italian club.
0%
Love
0%
Funny
0%
Wow
0%
Sad
0%
Angry