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Leeds United

Leeds Turn Attention to Dilane Bakwa After Strasbourg Rejects Forest Offer

Leeds pursue Dilane Bakwa after Strasbourg turned down Nottingham Forest’s €25m plus add-ons bid…

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Leeds United have added Strasbourg winger Dilane Bakwa to a shortlist of attacking targets after an initial bid from Nottingham Forest was turned down. The Whites are reportedly one striker light after Mateo Joseph was sent on loan to Mallorca, while Daniel Farke has admitted Patrick Bamford remains out of his plans .

Leeds wanted reinforcements in both the striker and winger positions, having missed out on Igor Paixao, who joined Marseille. A Dutch journalist revealed why he snubbed the Whites. With Paixao gone, Leeds have shifted focus to alternative options and Bakwa is now under consideration.

Nottingham Forest remain admirers of the 22-year-old and submitted an offer in the region of €25m with €5m in add-ons. Strasbourg rejected Nottingham Forest’s initial offer and, according to Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri, clubs in the Premier League and Italy are monitoring the situation. Strasbourg are prepared to sell only if a club meets their €35m price tag.

Forest strengthened ahead of the campaign with signings including Dan Ndoye from Bologna and will play in Europe this season. Adding to the forward department remains a priority for Nuno, but Strasbourg held firm on valuation for Bakwa.

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Leeds have already invested in this window, but it is unclear whether they will match Strasbourg’s valuation. The club faces a closing deadline as the transfer window shuts on 1st September.

Bakwa produced a strong return last season for Strasbourg, scoring six goals and providing nine assists across 30 appearances in Ligue 1. That output underpins the interest from multiple clubs as the closing days of the window approach.

Leeds United

Leeds complete signing of James Justin on four-year deal from Leicester

Leeds sign James Justin from Leicester on a four-year deal; fee reported at £8m plus £2m add-ons now

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Leeds have finalised the acquisition of defender James Justin from Leicester. The 27-year-old full-back has signed a four-year contract at Elland Road after coming through the ranks at his local club and joining Leicester in 2019.

The structure of the transfer was reported as £8million upfront, with a further £2m in add-ons. Justin is the club’s 10th signing of the summer window as Daniel Farke’s men prepare to remain in the top flight following their Sky Bet Championship title last season.

On joining, Justin said: “Obviously to join a club of this size and to have the history it has had, and being back in the Premier League was a massive thing for me, so I’m over the moon to have joined,” James told the club’s official website.

He added: “Everyone that I’ve spoken to about the club and the area has had great things to say about it. So I’m excited to join the lads and get to work.

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“The stadium has obviously got one of the best atmospheres in world football.

“And it’s always a daunting task to come here as an opposing team, but I’m happy to have the fans behind me this time.”

Justin brings experience at club and international level, having won one England cap against Hungary in June 2022. His arrival strengthens Leeds’ options at full-back as the squad prepares for the challenges of the 2025/26 season.

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Arsenal

Timber brace and Gyokeres double send Arsenal top after 5-0 win; Dowman debuts

Timber’s brace and Gyokeres double helped Arsenal beat Leeds 5-0; teenage Dowman made debut at home.

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Arsenal moved to the top of the Premier League table after a 5-0 victory over Leeds United at the Emirates. Mikel Arteta’s side secured their second win in as many games, but the match began with Arsenal finding it difficult to break down an organised Leeds team.

The breakthrough arrived on 34 minutes when Jurrien Timber nodded in from Declan Rice’s corner delivery. With the deadlock broken Arsenal grew in confidence and extended their advantage before half-time. A neat move finished with Timber releasing Bukayo Saka, who thundered a right-foot finish high past Lucas Perri.

Three minutes after the restart Viktor Gyokeres scored his first goal for the Gunners, driving into the box and drilling in a low finish. A fourth arrived before the hour when Timber netted his second; the Dutch defender had scored just once previously in the Premier League before Saturday.

Arteta made changes in the closing stages, including a debut for 15-year-old Max Dowman. The teenager became the second-youngest Premier League player of all time and only the third u-16 to play in the division. Dowman registered two efforts on goal and then won a late penalty after a foul from Anton Stach. Gyokeres blasted in his second from the spot.

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The afternoon was otherwise positive for Arsenal, who also had new signing Eberechi Eze presented to the home crowd. The only blemishes were injuries that forced Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka off; the club will hope both issues are not serious. Arsenal now prepare to travel to face Premier League champions Liverpool at Anfield next weekend.

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Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace Approach for Bilal El Khannouss Puts Leeds Under Pressure

Palace approach for Bilal El Khannouss threatens Leeds’ pursuit as Premier League interest grows now

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Leeds United face growing competition for Bilal El Khannouss after Crystal Palace made an approach to Leicester City, according to David Ornstein. The Whites have strengthened their engine room and backline during the transfer window but have struggled to add creative and attacking players, with some targets reportedly sceptical about joining a newly promoted Premier League side because of recent seasons’ outcomes.

Leeds have signed Lukas Nmecha and Dominic Calvert-Lewin for their frontline, but both players were free agents and carry a poor injury record. The club identified a creative attacking midfielder as a priority and relegated Leicester’s El Khannouss emerged as a top target, with the club holding talks with his camp.

Newcastle United contacted the player’s entourage to explore a deal, but have not taken concrete steps. Crystal Palace, who could lose their talismanic attacking midfield star Eberechi Eze as he pushes to join Tottenham Hotspur, are searching for a replacement and have already made an approach to the Foxes for the 21-year-old. That move places Leeds in real danger of missing out on another target.

El Khannouss has multiple suitors in the Premier League, but there is no guarantee he will leave Leicester City. He has started the season well, registering two assists in Leicester’s 2-1 win over Sheffield Wednesday. He has been clear though that he does not want to be playing his football in the Championship this season.

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Morocco will host the Africa Cup of Nations at the end of the year and El Khannouss will want to arrive there having played at Premier League level. With Crystal Palace making a push, attention will turn to whether Leeds will increase their attempts to sign the Morocco international before the window progresses.

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