Leeds Utd in discussions about attacking signing with key similarity to recent recruit after double failure

Leeds United are in the market for an attacker in January after missing out on Cody Gakpo and Matheus Cunha, a report has revealed.

Gakpo now appears out of reach for Leeds after boosting his profile for PSV this season before impressing at the World Cup with the Netherlands. Victor Orta wanted to sign him six months ago, but now the winger looks more likely to join someone like Manchester United.

Cunha had also been on Leeds’ radar as a potential striker signing before Wolves were able to announce their acquisition of him on loan from Atletico Madrid on Christmas Day.

Consequently, Leeds are having to broaden their horizons if they are to find a new attacker for the January transfer window. Adding another source of goals would be beneficial after a difficult first part of the season for Patrick Bamford.

There are a number of younger options there to keep Bamford on his toes. For example, Joe Gelhardt has significant potential and in the summer Leeds added Wilfried Gnonto from FC Zurich.

Now, a few months after the capture of Italy international Gnonto, Leeds are being linked with another attacker from the Swiss Super League.

According to the Daily Mail, Leeds have “discussed” the idea of signing Dan Ndoye from Basel, the side who finished directly below Gnonto’s Zurich last season.

Ndoye would be another young option, since he is only 22 years old. But he has built up a decent amount of experience in his career already.

After coming through the ranks of Lausanne-Sport, he made his senior debut in February 2019. He was snapped up by Nice in 2020, before returning to Switzerland.

Numbers not too encouraging for Dan Ndoye

Basel took him on loan for the 2021-22 season, in which he scored four goals from 42 appearances and added eight assists. They proceeded to activate their option to buy him in the summer.

Since then, Ndoye has scored another four goals from 28 games, while also providing four assists. Across his 18 months with Basel so far, he has adapted either as a winger on either side, supporting striker or centre-forward.

Leeds fans may have some reservations about his goalscoring output. In his senior career at club level, he has scored 24 goals from 153 appearances. Obviously, it is not the most prolific record.

However, in the games he has operated as a centre-forward, he has managed 10 goals from 23 appearances. It suggests he can be more efficient when he gets in the right positions.

Primarily, Ndoye is a right winger, though. He would represent competition for some of Leeds’ wider players if he was to end up at Elland Road.

Alone, he might not address their need for more goals. But if a deal is on the right terms, it would be interesting to see their plans for him.

Ndoye, who has one senior cap for Switzerland after debuting in September, is under contract with Basel until 2026.

The Daily Mail also mentions left-back as a position Leeds are looking to strengthen. Meanwhile, they also want a centre-back at under-23 level.

READ MORE: Reason Leeds and Aston Villa were swept aside in ‘huge’ Wolves striker coup emerges