Leeds United reportedly tried and failed to sign Mohamed Elyounoussi from Southampton.
Just 12 months after joining Southampton for £16 million, Mohamed Elyounoussi was being linked with a deadline-day switch to the Championship.
With no goals, no assists and just eight Premier League starts to his name, a winger who shone at Basel hardly lived up to expectations, or his hefty price-tag, at St Mary’s. Yet a disastrous debut season in English football seemingly did not put Leeds United off.
According to TV2, Marcelo Bielsa’s Championship challengers tried and failed to sign Elyounoussi on loan in the final few hours of the transfer window.
An attacker who produced 13 goals and 17 assists in his final season at Basel and ran Manchester City ragged in the Champions League, the prospect of a fit and confident Elyounoussi tearing into Wigan, QPR or Reading would have had Leeds fans foaming at the mouth.
But, with his wage demands proving prohibitive to a club desperate to avoid falling foul of Financial Fair Play, Leeds were forced to let Elyounoussi slip through the net.
And, just one week after being linked with a move to the Championship, the Norway international could be offered a route into the Champions League instead.
According to Tuttomercatoweb, an Atalanta side who will soon take on Europe’s premiere club competition for the first time in their history have made an enquiry with Southampton willing to sell the forgotten man for around £12 million. Sevilla, five-time winners of the Europa League since the turn of the century, are interested too (VG).
So with all due respect to Leeds, Elyounoussi could be in line for a move more befitting for a player of his considerable potential.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
