Leeds United may still have a chance to sign Jerry Mbakogu – for free.
According to Italian newspaper Gazzetta di Modena, Carpi striker Jerry Mbakogu is set to terminate his contract with the club after a move to Leeds United fell through.
Mbakogu, 25, was once compared to Didier Drogba when he was coming through with Palermo and Padova, but it’s fair to say that his career hasn’t seen a similar trajectory.
The Nigerian forward has had spells with Juve Stabia and Krylia Sovetov, but has mostly made his name with Carpi, scoring 35 goals in 120 games.
Mbakogu hit eight goals in 28 games last season, and was bizarrely being lined up by Leeds United for a move to the Championship despite his less-than-stellar record in Italy’s second tier.
As reported by the Yorkshire Evening Post, Leeds had agreed a £3.5million option to sign Mbakogu, but chose not to take that option up as Marcelo Bielsa looked elsewhere for a striker.
Now, the tale is taking a twist; Italian newspaper Gazzetta di Modena report that Mbakogu is now set to rescind his contract with Carpi, and become a free agent in the final knockings of the summer transfer window.
Leeds may well be tempted to take another look at Mbakogu is he is available for free, with director of football Victor Orta seemingly keen enough to set up a £3.5million deal just months ago.
Yet with Patrick Bamford on board and other options available in Kemar Roofe and Caleb Ekuban, it would still be a surprise to see Leeds rekindle their interest in Mbakogu and bring him to Elland Road after all.
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