Leeds United were due to hold talks today in Italy to finalise the signing of Carpi striker Jerry Mbakogu in a £6.2million deal, according to Gazzetta dello Sport.
The Italian sports newspaper claimed in its print edition today (Monday) in their transfer window round-up that a United delegation were to have a meeting in Milan to put the finishing touches to the capture of the Nigerian forward from the Serie B side.
Widespread reports in the last 24 hours have stated that United are working on a deal to land Mbakogu, 25, from the Italian second tier outfit.
Gazzetta report that the cost of the deal, which is set to be finalised this month but the player will not join until the summer, will amount to a total £6.2million.
Scouts from the Yorkshire giants were present to watch Mbakogu score for the second tier Italian club in their 2-1 win against Spezia Calcio over the weekend to take his haul for the campaign to seven goals in 19 appearances.
The Nigerian has scored 38 goals in 136 Carpi matches as well as supplied 20 assists.
OPINION
On the face of it, a fee of £6.2million is a very hefty one by Leeds’ standards. Indeed, it would be the most they have paid for a player since their Premier League glory days when they forked out £11million to sign Robbie Fowler from Liverpool in November 2001. United spent big, by their standards, when they paid £4.5million for Adam Forshaw from Middlesbrough last week. But at least he is a proven Championship performer, while Mbakogu would be an unknown quantity whose career has been spent in the Italian lower leagues. Leeds fans are craving a centre-forward proven in the Championship and able to hit the ground running in the team’s pursuit of a play-off spot in the second half of this season. It looks like they won’t be getting that, and their latest acquisition will arrive in the summer with much to prove.