Leeds United was made to feel bad about passing up some of their top Premier League targets.
The Whites attempted to sign players like Khivcha Kvaratskhelia, Cody Gakpo, and Josko Gvardiol, but the negotiations fell through. Since then, they have all accomplished great things.
Gvardiol abandoned RB Leipzig, the team he preferred to play for over Leeds in 2020, to sign a £77 million contract with Manchester City in the summer. Gakpo, who is now highly valuable, relocated to Liverpool a few months after his attempted transfer to Leeds. Kvaratskhelia is probably going to get a major move from Napoli shortly.
But Viktor Gyokeres, possibly the most visible addition of the January transfer window of the previous year, may have been Leeds’ worst regret. Leeds was in dire need of a competent number nine, and he fulfilled that role perfectly.
However, Victor Orta decided not to sign him, and in the summer he joined Sporting Club de Portugal. He has excelled in Portugal, and the Record now claims that Chelsea has extended a whopping £73 million bid.
Gyokeres, a failed Leeds target, is wanted by Chelsea.
A year ago, Leeds was rumoured to be keenly interested in Gyokeres, but their offer was limited to £14 million. Compared to Coventry’s £25 million asking price, this was much less.
Rather than spending £28 million on a striker Leeds needed, Orta splashed the cash on Georginio Rutter, who has been excellent in the Championship with five goals and nine assists.
After Leeds was demoted, Sporting was able to win the race in the summer, and he went on to score 20 goals and dish out 10 assists in 24 games across all competitions—an amazing return.
Gyokeres has an £86.2 million release clause, thus Sporting is anticipated to stick out for that amount despite Chelsea’s £73 million bid.
Such an offer demonstrates the amount of money Leeds could have made had they signed him. His skill in front of goal may have also prevented them from losing.
