Over the weekend, via a report from Italian source TUTTOmercatoWEB (TMW), Italian came news that Leeds United were in Italy watching Carpi striker Jerry Mbakogu.
TMW confirmed that staff from Leeds were in the stands for the game, casting their eye over the Italian/Nigerian. Leeds scouts in the stands will have seen Mbakogu open the scoring for Carpi in a game the 12th placed side won 2-1 against the 8th placed Spezia. That opening goal from the watched striker took his season tally to six goals from 18 appearances.
TMW say that Carpi are unwilling to let the Lagos-born Nigerian/Italian leave the club at this moment, but say that the club will allow Mbakogu “to leave only in June.” This could pave the way for a Leeds United rethink and restructure over summer, should the Whites not be promoted to the Premier League.
Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio added a little more colour to proceedings today saying that Leeds United had sent two scouts to watch Mbakogu in action. He also adds that, and agreeing with TMW, that Leeds don’t have a deal in place for this transfer window and that the West Yorkshire club will “try to carry out the operation only later and in the future.”
Di Marzio also added a couple of other salient points that might make Leeds United fans sit up and take notes. He mentions that an agreement with Mbakogu has been “already obtained” and that there is a “general agreement on 4 million (Euros) with Carpi itself.”
Leeds United fans comment on Mbakogu links
Leeds United are interested in signing Carpi striker Jerry Mbakogu. It appears he is one for next season though. #lufc
— Adam Pope (@apopey) January 29, 2018
Hope we sign Mbakogu! Just the kind of forward we need. Strong and fast #lufc
— Inda_Rebel (@inda_rebel) January 29, 2018
I hope Mbakogu is good just so it will shut our fans up
— BC (@BC_LUFC) January 29, 2018
https://twitter.com/DNowt/status/957987400050970628
https://twitter.com/harrisonmatty1/status/957935369948925953
Jezza Mbakogu is 73 rated on FIFA. Just sign him 😂👀 #lufc
— Brandon Yates (@Brandon7Yates) January 29, 2018
I mean Mbakogu is very good from what I’ve seen of his general play, but it’s a joke if we sign him for the summer #lufc
— 💙💛🤍 (@Azzalufc4life) January 29, 2018