A number of Leeds United fans have taken to social media to react to news that Carpi have ripped up the contract of striker Jerry Mbakogu after having been linked with a move to Elland Road for much of the summer transfer window.
The Italian side confirmed that they had terminated the hitman’s deal to leave him as a free agent prior to the start of the new season, with Yorkshire Evening Post journalist Phil Hay having claimed that Leeds had ended their pursuit of him at the start of July, with a pre-arranged clause to sign him up never exercised.
#Calciomercato: il #Carpi FC 1909 comunica la rescissione consensuale del rapporto lavorativo con Jerry #Mbakogu#forzaCarpi ??@Lega_B pic.twitter.com/ErYkZFTPhk
— A.C. Carpi (@ac_carpi) August 6, 2018
Mbakogu’s contract termination has resulted in some Leeds fans commenting about how they had missed a bullet on Twitter, while others suggested he might finally secure a move to the club.
This is Futbol has rounded up a selection of the supporters’ best tweets:
Leeds for nowt then?
— Eddy Nuttall (@edward_nuttall) August 7, 2018
https://twitter.com/TheTjHiggins/status/1026803069663764480
Still too expensive
— MJ (@elland_toad) August 7, 2018
Might aswell take a punt now ??
— KidRock private Page (@KidRock85) August 7, 2018
https://twitter.com/daveorrodney/status/1026802167435460608
Bullet…..dodged…..
— Dan Newton? (@DannoLUFC) August 7, 2018
Get him for free @LUFC ???
— Brandon Yates (@Brandon7Yates) August 7, 2018
Opinion
The supposed pursuit of Mbakogu was one of the stranger transfer stories earlier this summer. One minute he was meant to be on the brink of sealing a move, the next minute Leeds were choosing to pull a u-turn over the reported agreed clause to sign him. In the end, it seemed as though the Whites pulled the plug on the move and he would be set to stay at Carpi for the upcoming campaign. If only things were that simple. Now, Mbakogu is a free agent and considering Leeds’ interest in the past, there will be plenty of rumours touting that they will return for a bargain swoop. After how long they reportedly spent watching him, those rumours could well become a reality, but the fact he has just been released by a side in Italy’s second tier, the alarm bells should be ringing loud and clear. Even for nothing, Mbakogu does not seem like a smart bit of business, and even if his agent comes calling before the deadline for free agents to sign, they must hold off snapping him up.