Just after Leeds United had announced signature #10 of the summer transfer window, with towering Swedish defender Pontus Jansson signing on at Elland Road on loan from Italian side Torino, a rumour sprang up of interest in player #11 courtesy of Belgian publication Voetbal Primeur.
The gist of Voetbal Primeur’s article is that the ‘midfielder’ that Leeds United were ‘interested in’ has been identified as South African interational Andile Jali, a 26-year-old currently at Belgian Jupiler Pro League side KV Oostende.
He has been at KV Oostende since the end of the January 2014 transfer window, signing from South African side Orlando Pirates for a fee around the £1m mark according to website Transfermarkt. Since being at the Belgian side, 26-year-old Jali has made 51 Jupiler Pro League appearances, scoring one goal. He also has 33 South African caps to his name, with him also scoring twice for the Bafana Bafana.
Voetbal Primeur say that it appears that Jali’s time in Belgian football may just be at an end with the South African likely on the move and that he “probably he begins a new adventure in the Championship at Leeds United.”
Jali said to be on Leeds United radar – fans react on Twitter
Leeds fan Chaz is more than happy with the link to the South African international
Andile jali would be an amazing signing.. Top signing if we get it over line!! #lufc
— charlie (@CharlieEllzz) August 18, 2016
Leeds fan James checks the veracity and likelihood of the mentioned ‘deal.’
Any truth in Andile Jali ?? @joerawson @PhilHayYEP #lufc
— James (@jimmy_L_UFC) August 18, 2016
Toby says that players of Football Manager need no introduction to Jali as a player.
If you've played @FootballManager you won't need telling who Andile Jali is. Signing for #lufc according to reports https://t.co/GZTubq5Op5
— Toby Bilton (@TobyBilton1) August 18, 2016
The author of one of the stories about Jali is worried about the number of Leeds followers that he is picking up as a result of it.
I seem to be picking up a lot of Leeds United followers after my Andile Jali tweet…
This could end badly on Saturday. 🙈 #LUFC #SWFC
— Joe Crann (@YesWeCrann) August 18, 2016
Leeds fan Chris is not sure who Jali is, having not heard of him but is willing to give him a chance.
@CharlieEllzz I have got to say I have never heard of Andile Jali but you never now aey 👍
— chris brady (@carpitone) August 18, 2016
Jim draws parallels between Jali amd another famous South African to play at Elland Road.
@LucasRadebe rumours that Andile Jali may be soon following in the footsteps of the legendary Chief !
— JM 💙💛 (@jim_1602) August 18, 2016
Jake sees it to be signs of another good signing at Elland road should it be pulled off.
https://twitter.com/JakeLUFC_/status/766291827909623809
Overall, despite there being reservations about the practicalities of signing Jali due to South Africa’s lowly position (63rd) in the FIFA world rankings, Leeds fans seem to be pretty much in agreement that Jali would be a decent signing at Elland Road. Leeds do have a glut of central midfielders on the books but there are unconfirmed rumours that two, Luke Murphy and Toumani Diagouraga, have been told that they are surplus to requirements at Leeds.