Paris Saint-Germain are reportedly seeking €25 million from Premier League club Leeds United for young striker Arnaud Kalimuendo.
According to a report from French outlet L’Equipe, Paris Saint-Germain have demanded that Premier League club Leeds United and the other suitors fork out €25 million to sign Arnaud Kalimuendo.
Paris Saint-Germain are scouring the market for a new striker as Hugo Ekitike seems to be closing in on a move to the French capital. And it appears they would be open to selling one returning from a successful loan stint. L’Equipe reports Arnaud Kalimuendo might be available if a team matches PSG’s asking price.
The report reveals that the reigning Ligue 1 champions want €25 million for the 20-year-old striker and are inclined to sell him due to the high level of interest in him. Leeds have had a busy summer so far, bolstering their squad significantly already. No fewer than six new faces have arrived through the doors at Elland Road, those being Brenden Aaronson, Rasmus Kristensen, Marc Roca, Darko Gyabi, Tyler Adams and Luis Sinisterra.
Kalvin Phillips has already left for Manchester City, while Leeds are set to lose Brazilian winger Raphinha this summer to further inject cash into their coffers. Feyenoord’s Sinisterra has already been bought as a replacement to the out-going Brazilian international. But Jesse Marsch wants more attacking reinforcements, particularly in the striker department, and has set his sights on PSG’s Kalimuendo.
A product of PSG’s famed academy, the 20-year-old has been on loan at Ligue 1 side RC Lens for the past two seasons. He impressed with 12 league goals in 34 Ligue 1 appearances in a breakthrough campaign last term. And while he still has two years left on his current PSG contract, it is understood that Les Parisiens are willing to listen to bids for the young striker.
Leeds’s interest in Kalimuendo stems from the fact that they scored just 42 times in the Premier League last season. And while Patrick Bamford will likely remain Jesse Marsch’s primary striking option next season, and youngster Joe Gelhardt excelled in a limited role last season, they need to add goalscoring options to their team.
Kalimuendo is a perfect fit for the profile. As well as starring domestically, he has already represented France at U16s, U17s, U18s, and now U21s levels and is a modern forward, boasting blistering pace in his locker, while critical decision-making, intelligence, and tidy finishing are some of his other attributes.
At just 20 years of age, he is already operating at a good level in the French top-flight, and €25 million seems to be a fair price for someone with tremendous potential as Kalimuendo. As such, Leeds have already lodged an offer worth €20 million to sign the French striker last month, meaning they may only be €5 million away from matching PSG’s valuation.
Apart from Leeds, Premier League rivals Newcastle United have also been keeping track of the Frenchman, but the Whites are currently the frontrunners in the race to secure his signature. It will be interesting to see if Leeds step up their interest now that they know the asking price for the 20-year-old French sensation.