Leeds to battle Brighton for £15m striker who is open to Prem switch

Nicolas Gonzalez TEAMtalk

Leeds will have to beat competition from Brighton if they are to sign Nicolas Gonzalez from Stuttgart, claims a report.

Gonzalez has emerged as a strike target for Leeds after they missed out on the signing of Jonathan David. The Canadian striker moved to Lille instead.

Reports emerged in July that Leeds were considering Gonzalez as an alternative. The forward scored 14 goals in 27 games last season to help Stuttgart earn promotion back to the Bundesliga.

At the time, Leeds’ main competition for the 22-year-old seemed to be coming from Serie A. But now, Gonzalez has another Premier League suitor.

According to The Guardian, Brighton have joined the race for Gonzalez. Like Leeds, they have already opened talks with Stuttgart.

In doing so, the Premier League duo have learned that Gonzalez will cost at least £15m. That fits in Leeds’ budget, which is around £50m.

However, The Guardian deny that Gonzalez has visited Leeds’ training ground already, as some other outlets had claimed.

What they do say, though, is that the Argentine would be keen on a move to the Premier League. He is open to either Brighton or Leeds.

 

BRIGHTON AND LEEDS IN WHITE TALKS

 

If they were to compete for Gonzalez, it would not be the only transfer tussle between Brighton and Leeds this summer.

Leeds are hoping to keep Ben White after his positive loan at Elland Road last season. The centre-back was ever-present as the Whites gained promotion.

However, Brighton know the 22-year-old’s stock has risen, and therefore they can command a high fee for him. So far, they have rejected two bids in the region of £20m from Leeds.

Brighton boss Graham Potter wants to assess White in pre-season, after which he could be given a big new contract.

Therefore, Leeds CEO Angus Kinnear has admitted they are looking at some alternatives, in case they fail to bring White back to Elland Road.