Leeds make offer to sign "outstanding" £68k-a-week midfielder with Diarra

Leeds United have now made an offer for an “outstanding” £68k-a-week midfielder, who could be in line to join alongside Habib Diarra, according to a reporter.

Leeds set sights on new midfielder

The Whites are looking to strengthen their squad in a number of key areas this summer, in a bid to avoid an instant return to the Championship, and they are particularly keen to strengthen in the middle of the park, with Strasbourg’s Habib Diarra now of interest.

Indeed, Leeds have now submitted an opening bid of around £22m for Diarra, which the French club are yet to respond to, as they wait to see whether any other clubs are willing to come to the negotiating table with a higher offer.

The Strasbourg ace is not the only midfielder on the shortlist, however, with Daniel Farke’s side also identifying targets from the Premier League, Championship and La Liga, indicating just how keen the manager is to bolster his midfield options this summer.

A move for Bissouma could make perfect sense, given the Malian’s vast experience in the top flight, making 191 appearances in the competition, but Farke’s side have also turned their attention towards a former Champions League winner.

That is according to Turkish reporter Fırat Günayer, who states Leeds have now made an offer for Besiktas midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, with the former Liverpool man now willing to leave the Süper Lig side this summer.

A further report goes into more detail about Oxlade-Chamberlain’s future at Besiktas, revealing the Turkish club are now willing to sanction a departure, given his £68k-a-week wages, potentially opening the door for a move to Elland Road.

“Outstanding” Oxlade-Chamberlain has top-level experience

Leeds may need to bring in players with Premier League experience if they are to avoid the drop next season, and the 31-year-old has that in droves, making 235 appearances in the competition, during which time he collected 20 goals and 24 assists.

Jurgen Klopp also lavished his former player with praise during their time working together at Anfield, with the German saying: “Ox is an outstanding player, an outstanding player, was always and will always be.”

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Sky Sports: Leeds now make approach for £17m striker who’s keen on PL move

The Whites have made contact to sign a 25-year-old, with bringing in a new striker now a priority.

Perhaps the most memorable moment from the Englishman’s time at Anfield was when he found the back of the net with a remarkable strike against Manchester City in the 2017-18 Champions League quarter-final.

That said, Oxlade Chamberlain has been in Turkey since the 2023-24 season, which suggests his best days may be behind him, and the central midfielder’s huge wages may also pose a problem for Leeds.