Ben Jacobs has dropped an update on reported Leeds United transfer target Arnaud Kalimuendo.
What’s the latest?
In a recent post on Twitter, the CBS journalist revealed that, following recent reports suggesting that Victor Orta has now submitted a €20m (£16.8m) for the Paris Saint-Germain centre-forward, it is now very possible that the Whites manage to get a deal for the 20-year-old over the line this summer, as Luis Campos is open to parting with the France U21 international.
In his tweet, Jacobs said: “Kalimuendo very possible despite Galtier really liking him. Campos is happy to sell for the right price. Be a very good signing if Leeds can pull it off.”
Marsch would love him
Considering the sheer amount of potential Kalimuendo evidently possesses, Jacobs’ suggestion that Orta’s capture of the striker now appears to be a real possibility is sure to be news that Jesse Marsch will love.
Despite being just 20 years of age, the £16.2m-rated talent has already established himself as a proven goalscorer in the top division of French football, with the youngster’s goals playing a huge role in loan side RC Lens sealing back-to-back seventh-place finishes in the last two campaigns.
Indeed, over his 29 Ligue 1 appearances – only 14 of which came as starts – back in 2020/21, Kalimuendo scored seven goals, registered five assists and created three big chances for his teammates, as well as bagging one goal and one assist over two Coupe de France fixtures that year.
The £6.5k-per-week forward once again impressed over his 34 Ligue 1 outings – only 27 of which came as starts – last season, scoring 12 goals and creating three big chances, as well as taking an average of 1.8 shots, making 0.6 key passes and completing 0.8 dribbles per game.
As such, with Leeds very much being in need of both backup and competition for Patrick Bamford – who featured in just nine Premier League games last time out due to injury – heading into the 2022/23 campaign, a move for the player who Jacek Kulig dubbed “prolific” appears to make a great deal of sense for the Whites.
Indeed, the addition of a clinical, young and – as he is available for an extremely reasonable £16.8m – cost-effective centre-forward in the shape of Kalimuendo would undoubtedly be a signing Marsch would love to add to his squad ahead of Saturday’s season-opener against Wolverhampton Wanderers.