Arnaud Kalimuendo could be playing against Newcastle United rather than for them next season.
That’s because Leeds are reportedly close to agreeing a deal to sign the 20-year-old striker from Paris Saint-Germain.
The forward has been heavily linked with a move to the Premier League, with multiple clubs interested in his signature.
Reports in France have suggested that Newcastle are keen, but it looks like Leeds are in pole position to win the race.
Kalimuendo close to Leeds deal
According to 90min, Jesse Marsch’s side are close to agreeing a fee with PSG for the youngster. They want £21million for his services.
That would make him an expensive addition, but he is certainly a player with a lot of potential. He’s spent the past two seasons on loan at Lens, where he scored 21 goals in total.
That’s why Newcastle have been keen, and even made a bid to sign him according to reports. It was claimed earlier in the week that the Magpies offered a deal worth £17million in total. That included add-ons, with £12.5million paid up front.
While news of a bid going in is normally exciting, that wasn’t the case here. That’s because Leeds had already had a bid for the same amount rejected by PSG.
Now it looks like they are the team pressing ahead to conclude a deal, and 90min add that they are confident they will sign him this summer.
That’s a blow for Newcastle, who are struggling to add attacking reinforcements to their squad. The Hugo Ekitike deal collapsed, while Alexander Isak has been deemed too expensive.
Kalimuendo looks like he would be a good fit for Newcastle right now, but a move to St James’ Park isn’t on the horizon. If he’s going anywhere in the Premier League, it looks most likely to be Leeds.
That means Newcastle will get to see firsthand whether or not they should have offered that extra £4million.
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