OPINION
Souleymane Doukara is reportedly interesting Leeds’ Yorkshire rivals Barnsley as well as clubs from Italy and Turkey as his Elland Road future looks all but over.
Yorkshire Evening Post journalist Phil Hay revealed on his personal Twitter account that 25-year-old forward Doukara is interesting clubs from all over Europe, and is now set to miss Tuesday night’s clash against Newport.
Interest in Souleymane Doukara coming from Turkey, Italy and England. Barnsley understood to be quite keen. #lufc
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) August 22, 2017
Because of the likelihood of him leaving, sounds like Doukara won't be involved against Newport. Plan was to use him but won't now feature.
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) August 22, 2017
Turkish newspaper Fanatik are also claiming that SuperLig side Osmanlispor are interested in luring the former Catania forward away from Yorkshire this summer.
Doukara is yet to feature for Leeds in their opening five league and cup fixtures but was expected to play some part in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night against Newport, following the sale of Chris Wood and the foot injury sustained by Caleb Ekuban against Sunderland.
This Is Futbol weighs up whether the sale of Doukara is a good move for Leeds, and if a deal can be secured by the end of the transfer window.
Good move for Leeds?
Doukara is now in the final year of his contract at Elland Road and Thomas Christiansen seemingly views him as surplus to requirements, with Leeds looking to reinvest the money received for Wood on a new striker.
The French striker scored six goals for the Whites from the left flank last season, but the acquisitions of Ekuban, Ezgjan Alioski and Samuel Saiz have pushed him out of the reckoning.
Cashing in on him now is crucial if Leeds are to sell him for a fee, but the sale of Doukara could see Leeds become very thin in terms of strikers if they fail to re-spend Wood’s transfer fee.
Leeds must bring in a replacement for Wood, or even two new strikers, before they look to sell their number 11.
This Is Futbol rating: 7/10.
Likely to happen?
With Doukara yet to feature and his contract up, a move away from Elland Road is a move that all parties involved will want to complete.
Leeds will want to avoid selling Doukara to a Championship rival if they have the chance to sell him abroad and that could narrow the striker’s options.
But other than that, a move is more than likely to go through with Hay’s links with the club suggesting that the interest is genuine.
Doukara will be looking for first-team football, Leeds will be desperate to earn a fee and clubs are reportedly interested. A move is more than likely.
This Is Futbol rating: 9/10.