🔹 Bilal El Khannouss – Midfield Playmaker Target
Release clause & valuation: Reports confirm Leicester City midfielder Bilal El Khannouss—who excelled with three goals and five assists over 36 appearances—has a £22.5 million relegation-release clause, which Leeds could trigger if they meet the valuation .
Transfer interest: Alongside Leeds, clubs like Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal, Newcastle, and West Ham, as well as European teams like RB Leipzig, Monaco, and Valencia, are actively monitoring him. Tottenham are strongly positioned to “gazump” others in any potential deal .
Player outlook: El Khannouss prefers a move within Europe and seems to favor a departure to continue his development post-Leicester relegation .
🔹 Mateo Joseph – Striker with an Exit Pressing
Current situation: Leeds manager Daniel Farke confirmed that Joseph did not join the preseason tour and is training separately at Thorp Arch, signalling growing unrest. Joseph informed the club of his ambition to leave, specifically expressing a preference for a return to Spain .
Performance record: In the 2024–25 Championship season, Joseph featured in 39 league games (11 starts), scoring three goals with an xG of 5.10—a modest conversion rate that hindered his appeal as a first-choice striker .
Valuation & exit terms:
Leeds rejected Betis’s £10 million bid in January .
They now reportedly want around £12 million for a permanent move, although a loan exit remains the club’s preferred route unless their price is met .
Potential suitors: Interest has come from Real Betis, Girona, Celta Vigo, and even RC Strasbourg in Ligue 1. Girona’s need has intensified following an injury to Abel Ruiz, while Betis may now look elsewhere due to Leeds’ valuation stance .
Strategic significance: Selling Joseph could help fund other targets—most notably Fulham’s Rodrigo Muniz, whom Leeds are eyeing at roughly £50 million. Moniz’s high asking price makes Joseph’s exit potentially vital .
Wider implications: Joseph’s move could open up first-team opportunities for academy talent—16-year-old Harry Gray, for instance—and further solidify marketing and playing time around lead striker Joël Piroe, now firmly established following his 19-goal season .
🔹 Artem Dovbyk – Striker Entry Talk
Past season & performance: Signed by AS Roma last summer in a deal reportedly worth €38.5 million (with player contribution involved), Dovbyk delivered 17 goals in roughly 3,100 minutes—a drop from his prior 24-goal La Liga campaign with Girona .
Transfer context: Manager change at Roma, coupled with the rise of loan signing Evan Ferguson, casts doubt on Dovbyk’s role. Roma now reportedly value him at €35 million (~£30m+), though some negotiations may drive that figure down to nearer €30m depending on add-ons and structure .
Leeds interest: Leeds are among several clubs—including Besiktas and West Ham—monitoring the situation. A move for Dovbyk could bolster the squad’s hitting power, aligning with Farke’s search for a proven centre-forward .
đź“Ś Broader Leeds Squad & Transfer Window Context
Leeds have already completed seven signings this summer, including forward Lukas Nmecha, midfielder Jaka Bijol, and goalkeeper Lucas Perri, as part of a wider effort to reinforce under Farke and the 49ers’ recruitment team.
The club aims to strike balance between immediate Premier League survival and long-term development, which explains their focus on both creative midfielders (like El Khannouss) and finishing options (like Dovbyk or Muniz).
Timing is critical: With around four weeks left until the September 1 deadline, decisions on all three players—El Khannouss, Joseph, and Dovbyk—are expected soon to allow integration during preseason ahead of the Elland Road opener.
đź“Š Summary Table
Player Position & Club Status & Latest Developments Valuation / Asking Price
Bilal El Khannouss Attacking MF (Leicester) Leeds can trigger his £22.5m release clause; Spurs, Arsenal, others press £22.5 million clause
Mateo Joseph Striker (Leeds United) Training separately; keen to move; several Spanish & French clubs linked Permanent: ~ÂŁ12m; loan preferred
Artem Dovbyk Striker (AS Roma) Roma open to sell due to managerial shift; Leeds among suitors €35m (~£30m+); potentially lower if structured
âś… Likely Outcomes & What Fans Should Expect
El Khannouss deal: If Leeds confirm activation of his release clause, they’d secure a technically gifted playmaker—though competition from Spurs and Arsenal may push the price or terms slightly higher.
Joseph departure: A permanent or loan exit looks imminent; Leeds appear ready to leverage that sale either to fund a marquee striker (Muniz, Dovbyk) or strengthen elsewhere.
Striker influx: A move for Dovbyk would be a marquee reinforcement, though Leeds may have to compromise on fee structure. Alternatively, Rodrigo Muniz remains on their radar if funds become available.
Integration of these new faces—especially with minimal time left in preseason—will require swift negotiation and clarity in squad planning for Daniel Farke to maximize the team’s readiness.