Leeds United

Leeds United striker hunt still on – new twist in ‘deal’

According to  the Yorkshire Evening Post (YEP), Leeds United are still interested in pursuing the capture of Nigerian-born striker Jerry Mbakogu – a change in circumstance favouring the Whites.

The YEP say that Mbakogu’s circumstance change in being “formally declared an Italian citizen last week” opens up an avenue that will potentially smooth his way to being a Leeds United player.

The granting of Italian citizenship, thus earning him an Italian passport, means that any barriers such as the granting of a work permit for the Carpi striker are resolved. This allows “Leeds to push along with a plan to bring him to the Championship.”

This possible game-changer for the Whites follows on the back of earlier reported news, carried by Sport Witness, that Carpi were resigned to losing Mbakogu. Earlier this season Gianni Rosati , an Italian Sporting Director, spoke ahead of the Carpi vs Ascoli fixture – a game between two clubs that he’s worked at.

Rosati said that he wanted Ascoli to win, win so that their relegation fears are calmed somewhat. It was whilst wishing for this that he said he didn’t want Mbakogu to feature, even if recovered from “muscle injury worries that he was undergoing rehabilitation for at the time”. Sport Witness quote the Italian as saying, “For Ascoli it would be better if he doesn’t play, even if his head is now in England, at Leeds.”

As the YEP point out, Mbakogu has hardly been prolific this season – a season where he has faced time on the sidelines with a knee injury. He’s featured in 22 games for Serie B’s Carpi, a set of appearances bringing just six goals. Yet, the YEP say that “Leeds remain tempted to take a chance on a player [in Mbakogu] who is valued in the region of £4m.

With Leeds United fans almost banging down the doors at Elland Road demanding that the club replace the 30 goals of Chris Wood from last season, these fans will be excused for hoping that Mbakogu’s head stays in England, buy that his feet remain firmly in Italy.

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