Report: Leeds have massive eight-figure bid rejected for Italian goalscorer

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Italian outlet TuttoMercatoWeb have claimed that Leeds United have had an offer worth £13.8million rejected for SPAL striker Andrea Petagna, and have been told to splash out more than £20million to land the Italian.

Petagna, 24, is one of the hottest strikers in Italian football at the moment after he slammed home 16 goals in 36 Serie A outings last season, while on loan at SPAL from Atalanta – a move which became permanent this summer.

Partnering former Leeds star Mirco Antenucci up front, one-time Italy international Petagna surprised many as he helped SPAL finish in a comfortable 13th place. He scored more than a third of SPAL’s 44 league goals.

It has caught the eye of Leeds, who are said to be keen to bring in a new striker despite the presence of both Kemar Roofe and Patrick Bamford. A £13.8million offer was made for Petagna, who SPAL paid around £10million for.

The offer was rejected out of hand, and Leeds have been told they must stump up an enormous £23million if they want to land the impressive Italian goal getter.

TBR’s view – Petagna would secure Leeds promotion

Unfortunately, he is just too expensive. It is unsurprising he has been given such a price tag, especially after he scored so many goals for a side towards the bottom of Italy’s top flight.

Indeed, he would be worth a lot more in the Premier League. Roofe scored 15 times last season with injuries hampering his progress while Bamford remains a target from the boo boys, despite doing okay last season.

However, landing a player like Petagna would secure Leeds’ passage to the Premier League. He has everything a modern centre-forward needs, and scores on a regular basis, at important times. He is worth £23million, but Leeds will not spend that figure.