Leeds United held talks with Roma’s Serie A forward Ola Solbakken today as Daniel Farke’s Championship giants enjoy an exciting end to a hitherto difficult window.
What a difference a week makes. This time seven days ago, many Leeds United supporters found themselves in a ‘just disband the club’ sort of mood; Wilfried Gnonto and Luis Sinisterra looking to force moves away and no new signings on the horizon.
Flash forward to August 31st, however, and Gnonto and Sinisterra are staying, Leeds have signed arguably the most talented centre-forward in the division in Joel Piroe, and two new midfielders appear to be on their way in the shape of Rangers’ Glen Kamara and Werder Bremen’s Ilia Gruev.
According to the Daily Mail, Ola Solbakken is another name to keep an eye on before Friday’s transfer deadline.
Leeds held talks with Solbakken’s agent this morning. And the 24-year-old Norway international may be allowed to leave by Roma boss Jose Mourinho after the Giallorossi sealed the signing of Romelu Lukaku on a loan deal from Chelsea.
The £4 million-rated Solbakken has played only 22 minutes of Serie A football so far this term. That is despite the long-term injury to Roma’s number one goal-getter, Tammy Abraham.
Leeds United in talks for Roma forward Ola Solbakken
Solbakken can play anywhere across the frontline and helped inspire Bodo/Glimt to successive Eliteserien titles in 2020 and 2021. It was his mesmerising display in the iconic 6-1 win over Roma in the UEFA Europa League which paved the way for his shock switch to the Stadio Olimpico in just under a year ago.
It didn’t take long, however, for Solbakken to suffer the same treatment that came the way of Luke Shaw, Paul Pogba and co; the fork-tongued Portuguese lashing the forward with some less-than positive publicity a few months back.
“Solbakken doesn’t understand tactics in the same way as the other lads,” Mourinho sniffed. “He doesn’t know the difference between 5-3-2 and 3-4-1-2. He doesn’t understand a high press.
“He must learn how to play with us. The lad has quality, but he cannot just replace someone and have the team use the same structure.”
Solbakken, then, may take some time to get used to Farke’s detailed, possession-based approach at Leeds. Rediscover the form that made him arguably the most dangerous forward in Norway, however, and a Leeds side boasting perhaps the finest frontline in the Championship already with have to make room in their treasure chest of attackers for yet another goalscoring gem.
Leeds’ interest, meanwhile, may signal and end to their pursuit of Genk’s Joseph Paintsil.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
