Leeds United have been given a boost in their attempts to sign an up and coming young striker who has been compared to Wayne Rooney.
Leeds transfer rumours ramp up ahead of Premier League return
The 49ers Enterprises and Daniel Farke are preparing for Leeds’ return to the Premier League following a hugely successful Championship campaign which saw the Whites win the title with 100 points.
Premier League football will result in more money being available for Leeds, and chairman Paraag Marathe has admitted the club will splash all the cash that they are allowed on new signings.
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“Whatever they will let us spend, we’ll spend. I can comfortably say that we are going to spend the very last penny that we can. It’s what we need to go full tilt for the next three years.
“I’m under no illusions that it’s going to be easy… there’s an argument to be made that there’s a widening gap [between the Premier League and the Championship]. With all due respect to the other clubs, I think we’re different. We have an opportunity and we have scale that nobody else has.”
Adam Underwood is the new Leeds sporting director, whereas Robbie Evans has been promoted to managing director, and it is shaping up to be a busy first transfer market for the pair.
A number of players have been linked with moves to Elland Road, including Man City attacking midfielder James McAtee, Bologna defender Jhon Lucumi and San Lorenzo goalkeeper Orlando Gill.
A centre-forward addition to rival the likes of Championship Golden Boot winner Joel Piroe, Mateo Joseph and Patrick Bamford is also on the cards, with Besiktas centre-forward Semih Kılıçsoy of interest.
Leeds are preparing to move for the highly-rated teenager in the coming days, according to recent reports, and a promising new development has emerged.
Leeds given boost in race to sign Semih Kılıçsoy on loan from Besiktas
According to a fresh report from Turkey, relayed by Sport Witness, Besiktas have decided that Kılıçsoy can be loaned out for the 2025/26 season following talks between president Serdal Adalı, manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and scouting director Eduard Graf.
Leeds are looking at a temporary deal for Kılıçsoy, so this will come as welcome news for the 49ers, Farke and Underwood. Compared to Rooney by analyst Ben Mattinson due to his “short, stocky build, powerful ball-striking and intelligent link-up play”, Kılıçsoy is under contract with the Super Lig side until 2028.
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Semih Kılıçsoy stats at Besiktas |
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|---|---|
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Games |
82 |
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Goals |
16 |
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Assists |
9 |
Capable of playing as a centre-forward or on either wing, Kılıçsoy would offer a versatile attacking option for Farke and one who has made over 40 appearances in all competitions in 2024/25, scoring four goals and registering six assists.
