Leeds United Pursuing Rangers Winger as £10m Stoke City Price-Tag Unlikely to Deter Whites

Leeds United are back in action this weekend, facing their first away match of the season at West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.

Daniel Farke’s side are only two games into the campaign, but pressure is already mounting after two poor results and a challenging transfer market. Wednesday’s Carabao Cup elimination by Middlesbrough left fans at Elland Road disheartened, compounded by news of Georginio Rutter’s impending move to Brighton, triggered by his £40 million release clause.

Leeds now face a critical fortnight as recruitment chiefs scramble to fill significant gaps in the squad, having lost three of last season’s best players: Archie Gray, Crysencio Summerville, and now Rutter.

The club has consistently claimed to be well-prepared for such scenarios, but this preparation is about to be thoroughly tested. With that in mind, the YEP has compiled some of the latest developments surrounding the club.

Leeds appear to be intensifying their pursuit of wide reinforcements, with reports linking them to Rangers’ Rabbi Matondo.

According to Football Insider, the Championship club is ‘making a move’ for Matondo, who is expected to leave Ibrox this summer after failing to secure a first-team spot under Philippe Clement.

A replacement for Summerville has yet to be found. Despite early interest in Norwich City’s Jonathan Rowe, discussions have quieted amid intensifying interest from Olympique de Marseille.

Leeds now seem to have shifted their attention to Matondo, who recorded five goals and three assists in 19 league games.

Rangers are keen to offload players after failing to qualify for the Champions League, making Matondo, who has two years left on his contract, a potential candidate for departure in search of more regular football.

Although the 23-year-old has struggled for starts in Glasgow, he previously impressed on loan at Belgian club Cercle Brugge and is a full-fledged Welsh international.

Former Leeds midfielder Carlton Palmer insists Stoke City’s reported demand of at least £10 million for Million Manhoef will not deter Elland Road chiefs.

Leeds are looking to conduct ‘real quick business’ after losing Summerville and Rutter. TEAMtalk linked the Whites with a move for Manhoef, 22, who registered four goals and one assist in 14 appearances since joining Stoke in February.

“Steven Schumacher does not want to lose the player and [it has been reported] they would be looking for £10 million upwards, hoping that will be enough to put off Leeds,” Palmer told Football League World.

“But I don’t think money is going to be a problem now for Leeds with the funds they have received from the sales of Archie Gray, Summerville, and now Rutter.

“The £10 million will not scare off Leeds, who will need to move quickly to finalize these deals. It’s all very disruptive again for Farke as the season has just started.

He faced a similar issue last season and still managed to post 90 points on the table, but they will be looking to do some real quick business now.”