Good Morning. It's Friday 1st August, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road El Khannouss bid incoming Leeds are on the verge of securing their eighth summer signing, with Bilal El Khannouss firmly in their sights. Belgian journalist Santi Aouna leaked the story, revealing that the Whites are preparing to trigger the Moroccan international's substantial £24.5 million release clause, a move that has put other potential suitors on high alert. News quickly spread that Adam Underwood had held talks with El Khannouss's agent (who also represents Sebastiaan Bornauw) earlier that day, signaling Leeds' readiness and intent to table a monster bid. El Khannouss is lauded for his exceptional technical and physical attributes. Primarily an attacking or box-to-box midfielder, he boasts great ball control and can also operate effectively on the left wing, showcasing his versatility. Despite Leicester City's challenging 2024-25 season, El Khannouss was a standout performer, making 36 appearances and directly contributing to eight goals, five of which came in the Premier League. This impressive form has attracted interest from various clubs, including Crystal Palace, while Sunderland have also been monitoring Leeds' transfer targets. Recent speculation linking Fiorentina’s Riccardo Sottil and Ajax’s Mika Godts have been wide of the mark according to Graham Smyth, but the El Khannouss rumours have certainly put clubs like Spurs, Newcastle and Crystal Palace on high alert, something the Elland Road hierarchy will not be happy about! please log in to view this image Do Leeds need two quality strikers The Premier League kick-off is less than three weeks away, and while Leeds have been busy shoring up their defence and reinforcing the midfield, the forward line presents a visible and pressing concern. Currently, Joel Piroe stands as the club's only recognised goalscorer. Lukas Nmecha, despite adding experience, comes with a concerning strike rate and injury history, which likely explains his two-year deal. With Patrick Bamford, Joe Gelhardt, and Mateo Joseph deemed surplus to requirements, the attacking options are alarmingly thin. Behind the scenes, Leeds are actively pursuing a recognised goalscorer, with names like Rodrigo Muniz and more recently Artem Dovbyk being linked with substantial moves to West Yorkshire. However, the crucial question remains: do Leeds need to sign more than one recognised striker? Given the expected departure of the trio and Nmecha's fitness track record, relying solely on Piroe, even with a new addition, could be a significant risk. A top-flight season demands depth, tactical flexibility, and cover for inevitable injuries or dips in form. Bringing in two quality, dependable strikers would not only provide healthy competition but also ensure the team isn't left scrambling should one become unavailable. With the clock ticking, this decision on striking options could define their early season fortunes. please log in to view this image
Not seen anything of El Kanouuss, personally though heard good things. He’s Another where there are apparently other interested parties so won’t get hopes up. I guess he would be the creative 10 Farke has talked about for some time. He also doesn’t fit the age profile (ie our ‘ready now’ philosophy) - although DF did hint there was potential for one. If you’re going to do it, then a lad with a year’s prem experience is likely the least risky way to go.
Its coming from fairly reputable journalists that there has been a meeting with El Khannouss agent, that much seems true. For all anyone knows he might have said that El Khannouss doesn't want a move to Leeds. In fact, it's more likely that he doesn't want to come given the other clubs interested. As for a striker, we need a main striker (marquee signing) and a Joseph or Bamford replacement. We really need to see some outgoings soon. Meslier, Bamford, Joseph, Gelhardt, Greenwood, Gyabi all need to go to free up salary cash.
Watched him a couple of times last season for Leicester (if you're interested). Eye test indicates he is similar to Aaronson but with a higher ceiling due to his age. Very similar styles though. Neat and tidy. Technically good. A bit weak physically. Not very explosive but a very decent support player who is more likely to assist the assist rather than play the killer ball himself. Plays as a 10 or 8 but does like to drift wide, especially in to the left channel. Likes of Arsenal and Villa are interested and rumours of him replacing Eze at Palace. Unlikely we get him. Edit.... he didnt really stand out to me in the couple of games I saw. He was on the periphery of everything but looked neat and tidy when the ball went to him. Can't say I focused on the guy.
I think Joel Piroe deserves a chance and by the look of him so far since he came back he looks to be in great shape. He also looks very sharp and has scored some well taken goals. He is obviously aware that Nmecha is a threat and he knows we are looking for a top striker to be the main starter. I would definitely be happy with Piroe as back up and Nmecha seems to be doing ok and looks a threat and has scored a couple too Just think it’s about time we saw Bamford, Meslier, Gelhardt, Gyabi and Greenwood gone and a bit of cash brought in
Piroe is a great finisher. The game has levels and I have doubts about his pace and about his pressing. It would be nice to have a 'different' style of striker as an option. Beto was on the shortlist but I think Promise David is a better player and Tolu Arokodare has potential to be better than Beto given the chance.
Just made that point elsewhere re the outgoings. Genuinely think Meslier is the only one that'll generate any cash. The others likely freebies and God knows how well shift Bamford. On plus side it would likely free up maybe 10m a year in wages which would cover two or three quality signings
Always interested in your opinion fella. yeh heard there was a feeling that the Leeds interest was being used to push palace into action.We’ll see. Heard he works hard and presses. His creative stats aren’t great but then they never are when your side is getting battered every week. If he’s similar but an upgrade on Aaronson then great… though I do think we need guile in that position. Aaronson is frustrating but gets a bad press - he ‘assists the assist’ regularly. Be good to have 2 players with different attributes in that position which is something Farke has said himself previously. Obviously we were looking at Hamer at the time he was saying these things… though Hamer had a more left biased floating role for the blunts last season.
If El Kanouuss was coming in to replace Aaronson I'd be content with it. El Kanouuss AND Aaronson looks a bit bland to me. I'd love a younger Pablo who could change a game with a bit of brilliance. Hamer can do that to a certain extent but I was hoping for better if im honest. My real concern is losing Solomon. He was regularly playing the final pass or the killer cross. We are much weaker without him. We need to replace that goal/assist player and Hamer would help with that from a central position. Not sure El Kanouuss would tbh. We currently look incredibly light in the front third of the pitch. Im fine with not playing a 10 but if that is the case we need a first team left winger AT LEAST as good as Solomon and a striker who is better than Piroe.
don’t disagree with any of that… Solomon has PL quality - maybe a yard of pace off from doing to pl defenders what he did to champ defenders. We’re lacking X factor at the moment… to be fair they are obviously trying to address that but the transfer window success likely rests on it. Not easy… the hardest positions to fill as we’re finding out.
On Aaronson he does get a bad press and probably because he didn’t help us stay up first time around. However he chipped in with half a dozen goals, important goals at the time and some assists. Where he needs to be a bit better is in front of goal as he fluffed some easy chances which would have had him into double figures. Frustrating at times……. Solomon was almost unplayable and suited the way we played last season. He created chances for himself and scored some of them, but he and James scored loads of centre forward type goals which was created by either one of them breaking down their wing and putting in great balls for the other to get on the end of. Can Ramazani do that? I think we need another Solomon type winger and he needs to be as good if not better. Ramazani and Gnonto offer that “something different” type player where they can creat a chance and finish it, that’s an individual play rather than a team set play
Nmecha will be Bamford’s replacement and then we’re obviously looking at getting a starting number 9. I’d be happy with our 3 as a marquee 9 signing (Muniz/Beto/Roma lad etc.), Piroe & Nmecha. Good competition. I think if we get El Khannouss that’ll be to compete with Aaronson, pretty good 10 options as a squad.
BEK is a superb player with a very high ceiling. I'd be really happy if we get this one over the line
IMHO Aaronson needs to stop taking one touch too many when near the edge of the box, a bit like Gnonto sometimes does. If hr can release the ball earlier then some of those times he's muscled off of the ball and gives it away are avoided and he may even draw a free kick through a late tackle.
Question of the day: Should we ignore PSR and spend whatever we need to spend to stay up. Just like Forest did and then get a few points deducted and still stay up. Staying up then makes it easier the following season as you get to improve again and have an easier PSR requirement.
No. We’re Leeds United and we’d get clobbered more than just deducted a few points. If the likes of Brentford, Palace etc can become established in the PL by sticking to the rules then so can we.
