Leeds United are working on a loan-to-buy for Besiktas attacker Jeremain Lens after scouting him in recent weeks, according to Aksam.
The Turkish news outlet claims that Leeds are looking to land the 31-year-old wide forward initially in the January window with the right to make it permanent at the end of the season.
Aksam claim United manager Marcelo Bielsa is keen on signing the 34-times Holland international, who has previously played for Sunderland, PSV, Dynamo Kiev and Fenerbahce, to boost his side’s promotion hopes.
Good move for Leeds?
Not really. Lens is a fine player with a track record that demands respect and he recently produced one of the finest individual performances in this season’s Europa League as he scored two brilliant goals and supplied an assist in Besitkas’ 3-2 comeback win against Sarpsborg. Five goals and six assists from 18 matches in all competitions this season provide evidence of Lens’ calibre. But he failed to set the world alight at Sunderland and there is a clear sense he is not really suited to English football or the Championship. Leeds are better off giving this deal a swerve.
This is Futbol rating 3/10
Likely to happen?
Given the Turkish media’s fondness for massively exaggerating transfer stories, it is extremely unlikely that Leeds’ interest is anywhere near as serious as has been claimed in the last few weeks. With Patrick Bamford in contention to compete with first-choice spearhead Kemar Roofe, and rising star Tyler Roberts in the wings, there is little chance of United signing a 31-year-old attacker with injury problems.
This is Futbol rating 1/10