Leeds United might not be done in the transfer market just yet. Despite already signing two central midfielders, there is a fresh twist in their hunt for another name in the middle of the park.
The Elland Road side recently welcomed Sean Longstaff from Newcastle United and Anton Stach from Hoffenheim, spending over £30 million on both deals. Those signings have already taken a big chunk from their reported £150 million summer budget. Still, midfield reinforcements might not be complete.
Leeds’ current options in midfield are not as deep as they would like. One name who was strongly linked with a move to Yorkshire earlier this summer is Nigerian international Raphael Onyedika, currently playing for Club Brugge in Belgium.
Onyedika has caught the eye with his strong performances, and Leeds were believed to be keeping tabs on him. However, another suitor has now entered the picture and made the first move.
According to reports from Turkey, Fenerbahce, now coached by Jose Mourinho, have already submitted an official offer of £10.4 million for the Nigerian midfielder. But Club Brugge wasted no time in turning it down. The Belgian side considers the offer too low for a player they see as highly valuable.
This rejection throws the door wide open again. Leeds might not have been active in pushing for Onyedika recently, but with Fenerbahce now showing strong interest, Daniel Farke and the recruitment team may need to decide whether to step back in or walk away.
Ilia Gruev is expected to leave Leeds after falling down the ranks, which could create space for another midfielder. That means the door is still slightly open for Onyedika. But the reality is that Leeds might now be looking at different areas.
After securing Longstaff and Stach, the club’s main focus could shift to other key positions including a new goalkeeper, a striker, and someone to play in the number 10 role. Brenden Aaronson might leave, and names like Emi Buendia and Gustavo Hamer are already being looked at as replacements.
Still, fans should not completely rule out the possibility of a last-minute swoop for Onyedika, especially if Brugge lowers their demands or if Farke sees him as too good to ignore.
