Leeds United have agreed a deal in principle to sign Carpi striker Jerry Mbakogu but new manager Marcelo Bielsa has stalled the transfer, according to TV Qui.
The north Italian outlet claim the transfer is virtually finalised but new boss Bielsa is “reflecting in depth” on it and “at the moment everything is blocked”.
TV Qui report Leeds have an agreement with the Serie B outfit to sign Mbakogu, 25, for a fee of £3.1million and the deadline to complete the deal is 30 June.
Good move for Leeds?
No. Mbakogu is the sort of striker the old penny-pinching Leeds would have signed, a close-your-eyes-and-hope-for-the-best punt on a player whose CV has been compiled in a second-tier league which is far less competitive and demanding than the Championship. Is Mbakogu the top-class operator who can fire Leeds all the way to promotion under big-name new boss Bielsa? Most definitely not. Save your money, Leeds, and use it towards clinching a deal for Abel Hernandez or Matej Vydra.
This is Futbol rating 2/10
Likely to happen?
With just eight days to close the deal before the agreement between Leeds and Carpi expires, the odds of Mbakogu leading the United front line next season are quickly receding. The club have been strongly linked with Hernandez and Vydra in recent days, and the Championship duo have the pedigree and goal potential to fulfil the ambitions of Andrea Radrizzani and company. Expect one of those two to arrive instead of Mbakogu.
This is Futbol rating 3/10