Leeds United are expected to pay an initial £4.4million for Carpi striker Jerry Mbakogu plus £1.8million of add-ons as the two clubs thrash out the terms of the deal, according to Parlando di Sport.
The Italian newspaper covering the Modena region claim that United are in advanced talks to sign Mbakogu, 25, in a deal they are looking to finalise immediately.
Parlondo di Sport report that Leeds want the signing of the centre-forward in the bag but he would not move to Elland Road until the summer as the Serie B club regard him as integral to their promotion push.
It is said that United are expected to sign Mbakogu in a deal worth up to £6.2million, split between a £4.4million guaranteed payment and the remainder made up of performance-related add-ons.
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.
Good move for Leeds?
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. Mbakogu has a creditable scoring record and is approaching his peak years, but he will have much to prove when he arrives at Elland Road.
This Is Futbol rating 6/10
Likely to happen?
Given the widespread reports of Mbakogu to Leeds in the last 48 hours, and the level of detail involved, it appears that this deal is all but done. There might not be an official announcement for some time, perhaps months, but expect the forward to be a United player by the summer.
This Is Futbol rating 9/10