GONZALO GARCIA INCOMING: LEEDS BOARD CONVINCED TO BID FOR MADRID STAR
Leeds United are preparing a £17m bid for Real Madrid's Gonzalo Garcia. The 21-year-old Spaniard seeks more playing time, but faces competition from Aston Villa, Wolves, and Brighton for his signature.
Leeds Launching 'Imminent' Bid For Real Madrid Star Now
According to sources, Leeds United is prepared to start its January window with a formal £17 million approach for Real Madrid attacker Gonzalo Garcia, but Los Blancos may insist on including a less-than-ideal clause in his contract, and competition from rival Premier League teams is stiff.
The 21-year-old Spaniard, who made a splash at the Club World Cup this year with four goals, has only played 96 La Liga minutes this season and is currently ranked behind Rodrygo, Vinicius Junior, and Kylian Mbappe.
Real Madrid is prepared to approve a permanent departure or loan-with-obligation for about €20 million (£17.6 million / $23.2 million) to ensure the young player regular football, even though he signed a new contract that will last until 2030.
Garcia has long piqued Leeds' interest. They made a similar proposal last summer, and now that the 49ers Enterprises are back in the Premier League and struggling to survive, Daniel Farke has persuaded the board that Garcia is the last component needed to ensure top-flight safety and advance to mid-table respectability.
According to club insiders, the bid is "imminent," maybe increasing to £20 million with add-ons and a sell-on option that Madrid would approve.
But the Whites are up against fierce opposition. Brighton has already begun negotiations for a straight loan, while Aston Villa and Wolves are preparing competing £17 million proposals.
Sunderland, a rival promotion team that considered Garcia to be their star acquisition, is not giving up and may return with a better package.
Leeds United is attempting to sign a Garcia
Garcia must decide between fighting for scraps at the Bernabeu and becoming the centre of attention at Elland Road, where 35,000 supporters would jeer at every move he made.
Leeds would be in a difficult situation if they attempted to re-sign the young player because Real Madrid is anticipated to seek a buy-back option in any long-term agreement. The player's camp is reportedly becoming more receptive to a Premier League transfer, according to sources in Spain.
Leeds thinks they can win the race thanks to Farke's experience with young attackers and first-team guarantees.
One of the most thrilling battles of the winter window is likely to start in earnest if the bid is accepted in the upcoming weeks.
LEEDS BOOST: DOMINIC CALVERT-LEWIN GIVES FITNESS CLAIM BEFORE HUGE VILLA GAME
Leeds United striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin declares he is "as fit as I can be" ahead of facing Aston Villa. The summer signing from Everton feels settled and aims to increase his goal output after a settling-in period.
Farke's Star, Calvert-Lewin's Fitness Claim Settles Villa Selection Debate
Before the Premier League resumes this weekend, Dominic Calvert-Lewin claims he is "as fit as I can be." Calvert-Lewin is anticipated to play for Leeds United against Aston Villa at Elland Road on Sunday as the international break draws to a close.
The striker joined Leeds United during the summer transfer window, ending a nine-year stint at Everton.
Three days after signing as a free agent on August 15, he was left out of the squad to play his old team. Rather, he did not make his full debut until September 13. Since then, he has started seven of the previous eight games.
The 28-year-old claims he is up and running ahead of what will undoubtedly be a hectic few months, even if he was only able to make the bench against Nottingham Forest the last time.
Calvert-Lewin said on Sky Sports' One on One podcast regarding his early United career: "I would say it has been a good start, could be better, can always be better, being critical. However, I believe that I did not have enough time to truly get into the swing of things.
"I signed four days before the start of the season, right? I was making every effort to stay in shape, but it was not the same as training and playing with a team.
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"After I arrived, my only goal was to increase my level of fitness, which I achieved by exercising and participating in Premier League games—the most-watched league in the world.
"I believe that my output has increased as my fitness has grown, and I believe that I am currently as physically fit as I can be. Thus, all that needs to be done is fine-tune the pitch.
"In terms of the club, the players, and the staff, it has been a pleasure to join and to be a part of a fantastic bunch of guys, and I've fit in fairly quickly.
"I suppose there is something familiar, as when I first came, hearing the accents and stuff like that, it seemed like home."
Calvert-Lewin has only scored one goal in his nine games thus far, and he was even in a chance to increase that total while playing off the bench at Forest.
On Sunday, he hopes to make a comeback to the starting lineup against Aston Villa.
ANTOINE SEMENYO'S DESIRE FOR ARSENAL TIPS TRANSFER SCALES
Arsenal are on alert as Bournemouth's in-form Ghanaian forward, Antoine Semenyo, could be available in January. The self-professed Arsenal fan has a release clause, posing a major financial decision for the Gunners.
Arsenal to Win Semenyo Race Due to Fan Advantage
According to reports, a number of elite teams, including Arsenal, have been notified that Antoine Semenyo may be available for transfer from Bournemouth in January. It was mostly seen as surprising that no top team signed the Ghanaian forward during the summer transfer window, given his outstanding play for the Cherries. His performances have not diminished since being at Bournemouth, and he is still one of the Premier League's top scorers this year.
To contend for major awards in the upcoming seasons, the Gunners are eager to bolster their roster with elite players. Arsenal made major roster additions during the last transfer window, providing Mikel Arteta with a group of players who can back his tactical plans and help the team reach its goals. Semenyo's acquisition would bring quality, giving the squad more attacking alternatives and possibly increasing its depth overall.
The Possible Transfer of Semenyo to Arsenal
Semenyo has already acknowledged that he supports Arsenal, which could give the team an edge in the competition for his services, according to the Metro. Even while other elite teams are probably interested, his personal taste for the Emirates Stadium might sway talks and make Arsenal a serious candidate. It will not be easy to get his services, though. The team would have to fulfil his release clause, which would cost a lot of money, especially if they can not raise it by selling a quality player in the January transfer window.
Arsenal must carefully consider its alternatives and financial situation before pursuing a transaction, despite the excitement around the possible acquisition. During a time of fierce competition both locally and in Europe, Semenyo's signing would bolster squad depth in addition to strengthening the attacking department. Simultaneously, it will be essential to balance spending with current squad management.
Since Semenyo's performances continue to draw interest from multiple teams, the scenario is still one that needs to be closely watched for the time being. Arsenal may be able to acquire a forward who combines skill, Premier League experience, and a personal connection to the team, adding him to their goals for the upcoming months and seasons, provided they can successfully negotiate the financial and logistical obstacles of the January transfer window.