Farke to learn chances of signing £8.6m Leeds Utd target in ‘next 48 hours’ as departing Whites star lines up lucrative Saudi switch

Leeds United are likely to learn by Monday whether their efforts to sign their top goalkeeper target in Alexander Nubel are successful or not with reports in Germany giving an indication on Bayern Munich’s preference.

The Whites have made one senior signing to their name so far after splashing out £7m on the signing of Ethan Ampadu. The Wales international will offer boss Daniel Farke versatility, given his ability to play at both centre-half and as a holding midfielder.

However, their squad still needs major reconstruction with the new Championship season set to get underway in just 15 days.

And with Robin Koch, Diego Llorente, Marc Roca, Brenden Aaronson, Joel Robles, Rasmus Kristensen, Rodrigo Moreno and, on Saturday, Adam Forshaw, all departing, the Whites clearly need bodies in as quickly as possible.

Perhaps the immediate priority for Farke, however, is deciding on a new goalkeeper.

Illan Meslier ended last season having lost the gloves at Elland Road following a series of shaky displays. And while the France U21 stopper has been linked with a series of high-profile moves, a concrete offer for his services is yet to arrive on the table.

However, there is a strong prospect Leeds expect him to leave and, in light of Robles’ exit, the club are in the market to sign a new goalkeeper this summer.

As a result, Farke has honed in on the signing of Bayern Munich stopper Nubel.

The 26-year-old has only managed four appearances for Bayern, despite being on their books since summer 2020.

And having spent the last two years on loan in France with Monaco, the Bundesliga champions are willing to let Nubel move on once again.

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Leeds to learn Alexander Nubel fate as Adam Forshaw is linked with Saudi move

Leeds have reportedly made a firm offer to tempt Bayern into the sale of Nubel, with reports suggesting their offer is worth €10m (£8.6m).

They do, however, face competition from VfB Stuttgart, who are looking to sign the 6ft 4in stopper on a season’s loan.

Now according to Sky Deutschland, Bayern are ready to make their decision on Nubel’s future clear in the next 48 hours, with a verdict expected by Monday.

In addition, they suggest the Bavarian giants actually favour a loan move, which would, at this stage, make Stuttgart favourites for his signature.

Leeds could yet alter their offer to a loan if it meant securing the former Schalke star’s services, however.

In the meantime, more information has come to light on Forshaw’s departure from Elland Road.

The midfielder is one of the club’s longest-serving players, having been on their books since January 2018.

After battling back from a two-year hip injury nightmare, Forshaw went on to feature 39 times for Leeds in the Premier League.

But with his deal expiring this summer, Forshaw was offered the chance to stay on reduced terms.

After deliberating over the offer, it was confirmed on Saturday that the player has now indeed declined a new deal and will leave as a free agent.

Forshaw to net big wages after leaving Leeds

In a message on the club’s official Twitter page, Leeds thanked Forshaw for his services at Elland Road.

But elaporating on what is next for Forshaw, The Athletic‘s Leeds expert, Phil Hay, suggested a lucrative move to Saudi Arabia could now be on the cards.

Hay tweeted: “Adam Forshaw won’t be rejoining Leeds United. He and the club had discussed a new deal on reduced terms. Other interest in him, including an offer from Saudi Arabia. Moves on after five and a half years.”

It’s not known which Saudi side are actually in for Forshaw at this stage. But the Gulf State has been on something of a major transfer push this summer with a plethora of top stars heading to the Saudi Pro-League.

Indeed, while Forshaw won’t be earning anywhere near the reported £700,000 a week terms offered to the likes of Jordan Henderson, any wage package is likely to dwarf the salary offered to him by the Whites.

To that end, he cannot be blamed for turning down Leeds’ offer. In total, Forshaw made 91 appearances for Leeds, never scoring though offering three assists.

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