The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Tuesday 12th August) Leeds set to move on from Muniz pursuit

[Ellandback1]

Good Morning. It's Tuesday 12th August, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road...


Leeds set to move on from Muniz pursuit

Any lingering hopes Leeds United had of signing Fulham striker Rodrigo Muniz look to be diminished, with overnight reports indicating the Brazilian is nearing a move to Serie A side Atalanta. The Italian club has reportedly tabled a bid of £30 million plus bonuses, and Muniz has already agreed personal terms, putting significant pressure on Fulham to complete the deal. This development effectively ends Leeds' pursuit, allowing them to shift their focus elsewhere.

The Whites remain intent on bringing in two new strikers before the end of the month to fill the void left by Mateo Joseph’s temporary departure. Representatives for both Mehdi Taremi and Dominic Calvert-Lewin have been engaged in talks with Leeds, signifying strong interest from the Whites. West Ham’s Michail Antonio is also under consideration, though no formal discussions have taken place regarding the veteran forward.

In a potentially significant move, Italian journalist Alfredo Pedulla has heaped further speculation that Leeds United are targeting Roma’s Artem Dovbyk as a possible marquee signing. The 28-year-old Ukrainian endured a challenging debut season in Italy. A sale of Dovbyk would enable Roma to finance a move for Nikola Krstović from Lecce, suggesting this could be a mutually beneficial transfer for all parties involved.




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Nicolas Gonzalez firmly on Leeds radar

Leeds United are reportedly eyeing Argentina international Nicolas Gonzales as a prime target to bolster their attacking options. The 27-year-old left winger has emerged as a viable option for the Whites, who are actively seeking reinforcements upfront.

Gonzales is understood to be keen on a move away from Turin after a challenging debut season, following his £36 million switch from Fiorentina just twelve months ago. Despite the recent transfer, the wide man, who boasts 43 caps for Argentina, was previously a player Marcelo Bielsa attempted to bring to Elland Road back in 2020.

An expected transfer fee of around £25 million is considered reasonable, given Gonzales' comprehensive skillset. He is renowned for his tireless work rate across both attacking and defensive duties, demonstrating strong off-the-ball pressing and effective tackling abilities. Physically robust, he excels in aerial duels and poses a significant goal threat, combining a powerful shot with intelligent movement to find space in and around the box.

According to Graham Smyth of the Yorkshire Evening Post, Gonzales is firmly on Leeds United's radar. However, the club is yet to make a formal approach.





Will dropping Meslier to third choice accelerate his departure

Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has confirmed Illan Meslier’s demotion to third-choice goalkeeper, a decision underscored by Lucas Perri’s big money transfer from Lyon. The Brazilian, who only recently joined squad training after recovering from a minor injury, immediately donned the number one shirt, previously held by Meslier, for his maiden appearance against AC Milan at the weekend. In front of a sell-out crowd in Dublin, Perri's 45-minute display was commanding, highlighted by his remarkable 50-meter throws – a skill he perfected with former Botafogo coach Daniel Correia. Karl Darlow replaced the Brazilian for the second half, completing Leeds’ goalkeeping lineup for the fixture.

Farke’s post-match comments solidified Meslier’s position at Elland Road. By leaving the Frenchman out of the squad entirely, Farke unequivocally signaled that Meslier is now considered surplus to requirements, effectively placing him behind both Perri and Darlow in the pecking order. This move is widely seen as Farke’s direct message that Meslier is no longer wanted at Leeds. However, speculation is growing that Meslier intends to see out the remaining twelve months of his contract, potentially securing a significant free agent deal next summer.

We decided to play two goalkeepers so it was not necessary for him (Meslier) to travel, "It’s quite normal. We invested – by our standards – a big sum to bring Lucas in. "of course Lucas is likely to play a role for us (against Everton) and for that, we decided to give him the No 1 shirt. "It’s not a decision against Illan. It’s also for the confidence of Lucas to make him welcome and show why we signed him.

[The Subhuman]

We've reached the bottom of the barrel regarding strikers it seems.

[1964white]

We've reached the bottom of the barrel regarding strikers it seems.

It would seem so, unless there is a Tony Yeboah lurking somewhere that no other club are aware of, highly unlikely these days due to social media & the amount of transfer correspondents around.

[CUSSIE01]

We've reached the bottom of the barrel regarding strikers it seems.

“ The bottom of the barrel “, we’ve dug a hole through the bottom of the barrel and are half way to Australia.

[Tom the Cat]

At last in has dawned on the powers that be that Muniz is not coming to Leeds - he said that some three weeks ago and yet we still waste time chasing him. As things are it would seem that we might have to make peace with Bamford

[The Subhuman]

We invested – by our standards

Says a lot

[PhoenixUnited]

We've reached the bottom of the barrel regarding strikers it seems.

A lowering of sights brings in the likes of Calvert-Lewin, possibly Michail Antonio and a collection of Serie A strikers and forwards that haven't been able to hack it at their current clubs and others who don't want to come to a club that will probably be duking in out in the lower reaches of the Premiership. Or take a wild punt on a complete unknown from somewhere like darkest Africa or Asia. It ain't easy

The hope to cling to is that sometimes we have left it late and pulled a rabbit out of the hat - Yeboah and Raphinha being great examples. Clutching at straws but what can you do?

[The Subhuman]

A lowering of sights brings in the likes of Calvert-Lewin, possibly Michail Antonio and a collection of Serie A strikers and forwards that haven't been able to hack it at their current clubs and others who don't want to come to a club that will probably be duking in out in the lower reaches of the Premiership. Or take a wild punt on a complete unknown from somewhere like darkest Africa or Asia. It ain't easy

The hope to cling to si that sometimes we have left it late and pulled a rabbit out of the hat - Yeboah and Raphinha being great examples. Clutching at straws but what can you do?

Raph was in Covid year so there was nothing normal about that. The top league has changed beyond recognition since Yeboah's day and as 64 says, with the media coverage today the complete unknown is harder to find and requires a bigger leap of faith than yesteryear

A good 10 while bringing Paddy back into the fold would help. As a big Joseph fan I doubt we even improve on him tbh.

[ruttermania]

I don't see why getting clarity on all the options and laying the groundwork for possible deals depending on how the permutations work out is scraping the bottom of the barrel . We were never going to be in the market for Gyokeres , Sesko et al and therefore it is unclear as to which of the strikers traded during this window so far was going to be the difference maker we would all like to see . Like every other summer window there is going to be a lot of churn in the next 2 weeks or so and at the end of it the picture will be much clearer . To my mind the business done to date has earned my trust that they know what they're about and I fully expect to see significant additions before the window closes. If I'm wrong the doom mongers will be satisfied which will make up for their dissatisfaction that we got promoted despite their predictions last August, January and April.

[billysboots]

Joel will be our first choice striker, starting the game on Monday, who will have on the bench now that Paddy and Mateo are unavailable?

[1964white]

A lowering of sights brings in the likes of Calvert-Lewin, possibly Michail Antonio and a collection of Serie A strikers and forwards that haven't been able to hack it at their current clubs and others who don't want to come to a club that will probably be duking in out in the lower reaches of the Premiership. Or take a wild punt on a complete unknown from somewhere like darkest Africa or Asia. It ain't easy

The hope to cling to is that sometimes we have left it late and pulled a rabbit out of the hat - Yeboah and Raphinha being great examples. Clutching at straws but what can you do?

Apart from Haaland, Isak, Wood, Wissa & Watkins, not many strikers score more than double-figures in the Premier League, so if we signed a No.9 that can score 8 to 12 goals, that figure may be sufficient, providing we score enough goals from our midfield, wingers & defenders.

Midfielders/wingers Salah, Mbeumo, Palmer, Cunha, Fernandes & Bowen were the high scorers last season.

[Carrick Dave]

I’m delighted we got promoted.

I’m worried that the club appear to be sitting on their hands and making no concrete bids, while other clubs join the hunt for our supposed targets.

Sunderland are now looking at Dovbyk according to clickbait.

[Ratscoot]

Morning EB et all

I absolutely hate the transfer window, there I've said it but ill keep clicking on those headlines, checking out the latest striker/winger we are "interested" in, just incase we do sign one of them, every now and again (at least once a day) convince myself this is the one, we'll definitely sign him and he'll be the next hero in white.

Sorry gotta go, just had a pop up saying we are definitely signing El Diablo from Noc Hance FC, got 10mins before my next teams call to watch his YouTube highlights.

Bye, see you on the other side

[1964white]

Joel will be our first choice striker, starting the game on Monday, who will have on the bench now that Paddy and Mateo are unavailable?

Nmecha & Gray on the bench.

[airedale]

Mitrovic best of a bad bunch for me ,subject to a cut in the stupid saudi salary.
I bet he's had more yellow cards than prem goals but at least he will bring some aggression .

[The Subhuman]

Apart from Haaland, Isak, Wood, Wissa & Watkins, not many strikers score more than double-figures in the Premier League, so if we signed a No.9 that can score 8 to 12 goals, that figure may be sufficient, providing we score enough goals from our midfield, wingers & defenders.

Midfielders/wingers Salah, Mbeumo, Palmer, Cunha, Fernandes & Bowen were the high scorers last season.

I think Piroe can do that tbh, it's just there's nothing behind.

[whiteinfrance]

I don't see why getting clarity on all the options and laying the groundwork for possible deals depending on how the permutations work out is scraping the bottom of the barrel . We were never going to be in the market for Gyokeres , Sesko et al and therefore it is unclear as to which of the strikers traded during this window so far was going to be the difference maker we would all like to see . Like every other summer window there is going to be a lot of churn in the next 2 weeks or so and at the end of it the picture will be much clearer . To my mind the business done to date has earned my trust that they know what they're about and I fully expect to see significant additions before the window closes. If I'm wrong the doom mongers will be satisfied which will make up for their dissatisfaction that we got promoted despite their predictions last August, January and April.

[The Subhuman]

I don't think anyone said we should be in the market for top end strikers.... that was patronising

[devoncop]

Muniz is by far the best of the names mentioned.

Would be a decent upgrade on Piroe.

[Carrick Dave]

It’ll be Sargent for £35m, we all know it.