Fabrizio Romano has dropped an update on reported Leeds United transfer target Arnaud Kalimuendo.
What’s the latest?
Speaking recently on the Que Golazo YouTube show, the Italian journalist revealed that, should AC Milan go on to seal a deal for Victor Orta’s first-choice attacking target, Charles De Ketelaere, this summer, the Whites’ director of football could look to move for the 20-year-old Paris Saint-Germain centre-forward – for whom the Ligue 1 side are reported to be demanding a figure in the region of €25m (£21m).
Regarding Leeds’ interest in the duo, the transfer insider said: “Kalimuendo has always been one of the players [on] the list. Let’s see if Leeds decide to jump into it again, because then they focus.
“They wanted him one month ago, then they focused on Charles De Ketelaere, but now Milan are [leading the race for him]. So, Leeds are waiting to see what happens with De Ketelaere. If the player is joining Milan – as it seems – they will move on different targets – Kalimuendo could be one of them.”
Supporters will be buzzing
While it is true that missing out on De Ketelaere this summer would come as a gutting blow to both Orta and the Elland Road faithful, Romano’s suggestion that the Whites will move for Kalimuendo in the event a deal for the Belgian falls through is sure to have left Leeds supporters buzzing.
Indeed, the £16.2m-rated talent first caught the eye over 28 Ligue 1 appearances during a loan spell with RC Lens in the season before last, scoring seven goals, providing five assists and creating three big chances for his teammates, in addition to taking an average of 1.2 shots, making 0.6 key passes and completing 0.9 dribbles per game.
These metrics saw the forward average a very respectable SofaScore match rating of 6.76, ranking him as Franck Haise’s 13th-best player in the league that year.
The £6.6k-per-week attacker once again impressed over his 32 Ligue 1 outings during a second stint with Les Sang et Or in 2021/22, bagging 12 goals and creating three big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 1.8 shots, making 0.6 key passes and completing 0.8 dribbles per fixture.
These returns saw the player who Jacek Kulig dubbed “absolutely deadly” average a SofaScore match rating of 6.82, ranking him as Lens’ 14th-best performer in the top flight of French football.
As such, while Kalimuendo is still a raw talent, it is clear that the 20-year-old boasts the potential to become an incredibly prolific goalscorer in not too distant future – leading us to believe that, should Orta’s move for De Ketelaere not work out, the Spaniard must do all he can to secure the French starlet’s £21m signing this summer.
AND in other news: “Ready to be signed off”: Journo drops Leeds transfer update that supporters will love
