Carpi terminating agreement with sporting director places cloud over Leeds Mbakogu move

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Leeds United reportedly have a deal in place with Carpi, but there is a potential new complication.

Leeds United are in no rush to sign Jerry Mbakogu despite having a deal in place for the striker’s purchase.

Italian outlet Gazzamercato reported Leeds have an agreement in place for the Nigerian, who plays for Serie B side Carpi.

Yet the Whites have not acted to rubber stamp this, despite the transfer window being open.

Now the situation has become clouded further, with Carpi terminating the contract of their sporting director.

The club announced they have parted with Matteo Scala by mutual consent, Carpi Calcio News reported yesterday.

Scala was the club’s sporting director, and he talked up discussions with Leeds earlier this year.

Scala told Tuttomercatoweb in February: “The English club behaved correctly, they came to see the player and they asked us the priority for a negotiation in June, when Jerry has in the meantime completed the process for the passport.

“[They will be] first to sit at the table with us according to a gentleman agreement that we have achieved.”

Mbakogu has since completed his passport application to be recognised as an Italian citizen, removing the obstacle of a work permit.

Yet Leeds are leaving Carpi hanging, while the Whites try to secure a new manager.

Their move for Mbakogu is in doubt already after the Yorkshire Evening Post reported there is a deadline on June 30 for the Whites to activate their agreement.

Carpi are now looking to appoint a new sporting director, who could have a very different plan for next season, potentially involving Mbakogu.

From looking like close to a done deal, there is more and more doubt over whether Leeds will decide to sign the forward, and Scala’s exit from Carpi has the potential to complicate the situation further.