Report: Leeds to miss out on signing £16.7m striker, he’s about to join another club instead

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Leeds United are set to miss out on another attacking target, with PSG striker Arnaud Kalimuendo set to join Rennes.

A report from Le Parisien suggests that Leeds, Everton and Nice were all interested in the 20-year-old forward, but a deal worth £16.7m has been agreed with Rennes.

Leeds planned for make a second bid for Kalimuendo this week, but it’s unclear if this ever materialised, with their first bid being rejected over a month ago.

Leeds owner Andrea Radrizzani has made it clear this summer that the club need to be fully convinced before making a bid for any forward, after missing out on Belgian Charles de Ketelaere.

Therefore, Kalimuendo ending up at Stade Rennais suggests Leeds thought something wasn’t right with the deal.

Leeds miss out on Kalimuendo

The young French forward could have been a great signing for Leeds and has a lot of potential, but ironically his age may have been an off putting factor for Jesse Marsch’s side.

Radrizzani is a very keen admirer of Joe Gelhardt, and in an interview said he doesn’t want another forward potentially getting in the way of the England under-21 international’s development.

It would therefore make sense for Leeds to go for an older forward who compete with Patrick Bamford now, but not affect Gelhardt’s long-term prospects.

However, the latest striker linked with Marsch’s side is 23-year-old Cody Gakpo, who wouldn’t fit this mould, but may already be an upgrade on Bamford.