Leeds Utd winning race for Canadian winger as they aim to beat Inter Milan to €30m signing

Leeds United are reportedly in the lead for another North American signing, since they are currently classed as the favourites for Canada international, Tajon Buchanan.

Over the past couple of transfer windows, Leeds have recruited a few American players. In the summer of 2022, they signed USMNT internationals Tyler Adams and Brenden Aaronson. Then, their compatriot Weston McKennie followed in January.

Despite the removal of Jesse Marsch from his position as head coach, it seems Leeds are ready to continue the North American theme to their transfer business. This time, they are being linked with a Canadian player in the shape of Tajon Buchanan.

According to Calciomercato.it reporter Raffaele Amato, the Club Brugge winger has become a target for Inter Milan. However, Leeds are currently “in the lead” for his signature.

The West Yorkshire side have tried to business with Club Brugge before. Last summer, they wanted to sign Charles De Ketelaere from the same club, but missed out to AC Milan.

Now, in a similar transfer battle, they are competing with Milan’s cross-city rivals Inter for the signature of Buchanan, so it seems.

According to the report, Club Brugge want to raise €30million (£26.7m) from Buchanan’s sale. There is optimism, though, that his price could reduce to €25m (£22.2m).

Whether Leeds will be the ones to pay it remains to be seen. However, their plans for Buchanan may be different to Inter’s.

Leeds Utd target Buchanan can cover different roles

Indeed, the Serie A side are looking at the 24-year-old as a potential replacement for Denzel Dumfries. Obviously, the Dutchman is a wing-back, so Buchanan would have to adapt his own role if he took that space in Inter’s squad in the event of Dumfries leaving.

That said, he has already been featuring in a slightly deeper wide role for Club Brugge this season. Hence, it is a transition he could be capable of completing.

What kind of role Leeds have in mind for him is unclear. They have a few options out wide already, but might be looking for some further competition.

Therefore, if their interest in Buchanan is genuine, they will be hoping to be able to persuade Club Brugge to sell him to them.

Across his career with the Belgian side, Buchanan has scored two goals and provided six assists from 37 appearances. Previously, he played in the MLS for New England Revolution, where he scored 12 goals and made 11 assists within 67 games.

Having never played in the Premier League or Serie A before, Buchanan might be something of a gamble by either Leeds or Inter. But as a 28-cap Canada international who went to the World Cup, he has been building up a range of different footballing experiences.

What comes next for him, only time will tell. His contract with Club Brugge is currently due to last until 2025. But they are seemingly set to face interest in his services a couple of years before then.

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