Leeds United have made an approach for an international midfielder who is enjoying a superb breakthrough season in the Turkish Super Lig, according to a new report.
Farke calls for calm after Portsmouth defeat
Leeds’ charge towards the Championship title and promotion to the Premier League hit a bump in the road at the weekend as they were beaten 1-0 by Portsmouth at Fratton Park.
Leeds dominated much of the game, but couldn’t make it count, with Portsmouth defending valiantly and Daniel Farke’s side spurning a number of chances, most notably Joel Piroe, who fired over when faced with an open goal early in the second half.
The Lilywhites were then made to pay when Colby Bishop capatilised on a mix-up at the back to prod home what proved to be the winner in the 61st minute.
The defeat, combined with Sheffield United’s 1-0 win over Preston North End, means Leeds’ points gap at the top of the Championship table has now been completely erased, with Farke’s side now leading only by goal difference.
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Speaking after the defeat, the German head coach called for calm, insisting that the race for the title “always goes to the wire”.
“If you want to finish in the top positions in this league you have to show consistency – the title is not won in February or March,” he said, via BBC Sport.
“You have to prove yourselves every single game, we have some difficult matches coming up and we don’t take anything for granted. I know we can be better and much more effective.”
Leeds make approach for Anthony Dennis
Though there are still plenty of games left this season, it seems Leeds are already preparing for next year – whether that be in the Championship or the Premier League. According to Africafoot, Leeds, alongside German side Stuttgart, are one of two clubs to have already made an approach for Nigerian midfield prodigy Anthony Junior Dennis, who has been enjoying a fine breakthrough season in Turkey with Göztepe.
The 20-year-old has been Göztepe’s standout player in their first season back in the Super Lig since 2021/22, helping put them firmly in contention for an unlikely top four finish and qualification for Europe next year.
In an interview with Africafoot, sources from the Elite Project Group, the agency that manages Dennis’ interests, said: “He is playing at the highest level this season, so it’s no surprise that Stuttgart and Leeds are interested. Both have made approaches this week about a possible transfer.”
The souces added, however, that “Gotzepe are reluctant” to accept any offers right now and are holding out for bids from elsewhere before making a decision. The Turkish club are understood to value Dennis, who has been touted as Wilfred Ndidi’s long-term successor for Nigeria, at around £4.2 million.