Leeds United could withdraw their offer for Genk attacker Joseph Paintsil after the Belgian club ‘moved the goalposts’, according to Sky Sports journalist Dharmesh Sheth.
The Yorkshire side are still active in the transfer market, despite securing a deal for Swansea City striker Joel Piroe earlier this week. It’s been a poor start to the season for Daniel Farke’s team and they are winless from their opening three fixtures in their return to the Championship. It doesn’t get any easier for the Whites this afternoon, when they travel to early pacesetters Ipswich Town.
Farke knows that they need to get their season up and running fast if they want to fulfil their ambition of returning to the Premier League at the first time of asking and new additions are expected before the end of the transfer window next Friday.
It was reported yesterday morning that the club were in advanced talks with Genk over the potential acquisition of Paintsil, with a deal worth €10 million submitted. However, Sheth now states that Leeds are considering withdrawing their offer after the Belgian’s seemingly opted to alter their stance.
Championship rivals Southampton are also keen on the player and Genk are thought to be interested in a swap deal that would see Paul Onuachu return to the club only a season after departing for St Mary’s. The Nigerian international is considered a hero at the Jupiler Pro League outfit and he scored 85 goals in 135 appearances during his first stint at the club.
Paintsil has come off the back of an excellent campaign himself, where he bagged 18 goals in 39 appearances in all competitions as Genk finished runners-up behind Royal Antwerp.
Writer’s View
Whilst Leeds are desperate to secure the best possible squad as they launch their promotion bid, it’s good to see that they are not willing to be taken to the cleaners. They will be buoyed by the arrival of Piroe this week, who is widely considered one of the best strikers in the Championship.
There are likely to still be incomings at Elland Road over the course of the next week and negotiations will still be in place with Genk as they look to salvage the deal. However, they may be best placed moving on and focussing their attentions elsewhere.
Be the first to comment