Report: Leeds to announce signing this week after £6m fee is agreed

Add as preferred source on Google

Leeds United are seemingly on the brink of their first first-team signing of the January transfer window, with the Sunday Mirror (16/1; page 73) reporting that the Whites have agreed a fee for Nicolas Raskin.

Marcelo Bielsa’s side are continuing to deal with a raft of injuries. And crucially, they remain without Kalvin Phillips.

Adam Forshaw has done an outstanding job since returning from injury. But it would appear that Leeds are keen to strengthen further. And interestingly, it would seem that a new signing is close.

The Sunday Mirror (19/1; page 73) reports that a £6 million fee for Raskin has already been agreed with Standard Liege. It is suggested that the 20-year-old will move to Elland Road in the coming week.

Raskin has had an interesting start to his career. He only turns 21 next month. And yet, he has already made 67 first-team appearances for Standard.

He has previously been on the books of both Anderlecht and Gent. But he rejoined his first club in 2019.

Nicolas Raskin combative enough to fill Phillips’ shoes for Leeds

It would certainly appear that Raskin would provide the bite Leeds need in a player tasked with performing Phillips’ role.

No player in the Belgian top flight averages more fouls per game than Raskin, according to Whoscored. Meanwhile, he is fifth for tackles won.

He is currently a Belgium under-21 international, too. So he certainly looks to have a very bright future ahead.

And it would be quite the statement for Leeds to bring him in. Certainly, the fact that the report claims that a fee has been agreed suggests that the interest is significant.

And it would provide Leeds with a big boost. The fans have desperately wanted more options in midfield. And replacing Phillips has always been a problem for Bielsa.

Perhaps that problem may be put to bed in the next few days.