Leeds United are plotting a swoop for Koln winger Christian Clemens after the German club’s relegation from the Bundesliga last season, according to Kick Off.
The news website claim that the Whites are keen on snapping up the 26-year-old attacker after his club’s ill-fated campaign, which coincided with a plague of injuries which struck the former Germany under-21 international down for much of the season.
The versatile forward, who can play on either flank, managed to make just 20 appearances across all competitions, including in the Europa League, and, as detailed in the report, was a game changer for the German side, winning 29 per cent of their games with him in the side as compared to just 5 per cent without.
Good move for Leeds?
The Whites certainly struggled to break their opposition down during the last campaign and any help, either from the wings or from the middle, would be a boost.
They currently have the likes of Stuart Dallas and Ezgjan Alioski at their disposal and while Paul Heckingbottom might like some more proven talent to call upon, if Clemens is up for a cheap deal – courtesy of Koln’s relegation from the German top flight – then there is little risk.
Coming from one of Europe’s biggest leagues is not like trying to make the step up from a lower division, and Leeds could well have found a brilliant piece of business for next season.
This is Futbol rating: 8/10
Likely to happen?
It really will depend on whether Clemens actually wants to make the move.
Koln might be forced to sell off some of their senior stars just to balance the books for a season and while the 26-year-old is good, he is not the most spectacular player among the squad.
His injury record leaves him as something of a liability but if the price is right and all parties involved agree, it should go ahead smoothly.
This is Futbol rating: 7/10