Leeds United could “push the boat out” in a bid to sign Rennes forward Martin Terrier this season.
That is according to journalist Pete O’Rourke, who has been speaking to This is Futbol about Leeds’ potential transfer business this summer.
According to L’Equipe in France, Terrier would cost Leeds at least £34m this season, after the 25-year-old scored 21 goals and provided seven assists in 46 appearances for Rennes last season, according to Transfermarkt.
The Athletic’s Leeds correspondent Phil Hay has said that some of the Whites’ recruitment staff believe that this is too high of a price for the Whites to spend on the 13-time France U21 international, something he spoke about on his podcast The Phil Hay Show.
“That’s an interesting one, because we were told a few weeks ago that the Leeds scouting department had been analysing him but weren’t sure and saw him as pretty pricey.
“He had a very, very hot season for Rennes last season, but it was his first where he really exploded.”
But O’Rourke believes that Leeds could move for someone like Terrier, with Jesse Marsch in need of attacking reinforcements at Elland Road ahead of August’s Premier League kick-off.
He said: “I think Leeds could push the boat out for someone like Terrier.
“They have got money to spend from the sales of Raphinha and Kalvin Phillips.
“Obviously, Leeds have been quite busy in this window with a number of signings, but they do want to bring in more attacking players, as has been shown when they bid for De Ketelaere.”
TIF Thoughts on O’Rourke’s comments…
We agree with O’Rourke and could see the Whites making an expensive move for a forward this season, especially in a bid to replace Raphinha, with Leeds reportedly bagging £55m off the transfer from Barcelona.
And we think that Terrier, who has been dubbed by current Rennes manager Bruno Génésio as a “high-level” footballer, would be an excellent addition to Marsch’s side, with his aforementioned goal and assist record speaking for itself.
We believe that it would be in Leeds’ best interests to try and get a deal over the line as quickly as possible for Terrier, which would give Marsch some time to work with the forward during pre-season.