Leeds United set to make second bid for Arnaud Kalimuendo

Leeds United are on the verge of making a second bid for Arnaud Kalimuendo after the first one fell short of PSG’s €25 million valuation.

According to GFFN, Paris Saint-Germain are bracing themselves for an improved bid from Leeds United for Arnaud Kalimuendo. The first offer from the Premier League side was short of PSG’s €25 million valuation, although the Whites face competition from Rennes.

Arnaud Kalimuendo is touted as a top player for the future. The forward spent the last two seasons on loan at Lens, scoring 21 goals in 65 appearances for the club. Last season, he netted 12 goals in Ligue 1 alone, which has prompted many clubs to register an interest. Kalimuendo harbours ambitions of making it big at PSG, but the French giants are seemingly moving in the opposite direction.

PSG brought in exciting French youngster Hugo Ekitike this summer, who might be considered direct competition or replacement for Kalimuendo. The former Reims man will certainly restrict his path into the first-team setup, which already has several high-profile players ahead in the pecking order.

Speaking about Kalimuendo’s future, PSG manager Christophe Galtier had recently said, “I’m more than happy with him. He’s doing great, but then there’s the market. We’ll see the club’s and the player’s decision.”

Embed from Getty Images

Those words certainly instil the belief in the forward, but the club will likely take up a good market opportunity to cash in. Kalimuendo is a target for Leeds and West Ham United, although the former seem to be going after the youngster with a greater intent.

Leeds United’s interest in Kalimuendo comes due to the departure of Raphinha and the lack of a proper backup for Patrick Bamford in the No.9  role. They have already seen an offer rejected by PSG. The first bid did not come close to their €25 million valuation. The Premier League side are expected to return with another improved proposal to test the French side’s resolve.

Leeds may have the money to make an offer close to €25 million, although the club would like to close the deal for less. They face competition from Ligue 1 side Rennes, who are willing to invest around PSG’s asking price.

Leeds certainly needs reinforcements in their attack, and bringing in a new forward will help ease the burden on the fit-again Bamford. Whether they can persuade PSG over a sale will be apparent in the coming days. However, much will also depend on the player’s decision on whether or not he wants to move to the Premier League, particularly to Leeds United.