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Leeds United’s Winger Hunt Hits Major Setback as £35m Target Closes In on Nottingham Forest Switch
Leeds United’s long-standing interest in Dilane Bakwa appears to be coming to nothing, as the RC Strasbourg winger is now on the verge of joining Premier League rivals Nottingham Forest, according to multiple reports.
The Whites have tracked Bakwa throughout the summer while seeking attacking reinforcements, but they now face disappointment with the 23-year-old seemingly heading to the City Ground.
Leeds’ transfer efforts have already been hampered after their pursuit of Facundo Buonanotte collapsed over the weekend, leaving them scrambling for quality signings on the final day of the window.
John Percy of The Telegraph reported that Forest are in advanced negotiations with Strasbourg over Bakwa, with a deal expected to exceed €40m (£34.7m).
Sky Sports’ Rob Dorsett echoed the update, noting confidence that the move will go through. Fulham were also linked but have turned their focus to completing a £35m deal for Shakhtar Donetsk winger Kevin instead.
If Forest secure Bakwa, Leeds will see yet another high-profile target slip away before the deadline. Their shortlist is shrinking rapidly, with Bilal El Khannouss set for a loan move to Stuttgart, Nico Gonzalez poised to join Atletico Madrid from Juventus, and Christantus Uche nearing a £17m transfer to Crystal Palace.
Leeds have already invested £18m to sign Noah Okafor and secured Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha on free transfers, but the club remains short on the top-end attacking quality manager Daniel Farke insists is crucial. Speaking after Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Newcastle, Farke admitted:
> “We made no secret that to be ready for a long competitive season, we need quality additions up front. We’ll try everything until the last hour of the window, and then we’ll see where we are.”
Despite their determined efforts, time is running out for Leeds to deliver the firepower required to boost their Premier League survival hopes.
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