Leeds United very much splashed the cash the last time a transfer window rolled around before a brand new Premier League adventure took off.
Indeed, before a ball was even kicked to start the memorable 2020/21 campaign under Marcelo Bielsa, the Whites had added Rodrigo to their attacking arsenal for a club-record £27m, alongside also welcoming in Raphinha before his Barcelona glory days.
This would help them finish in a spectacular ninth position that same season, with £30m-rated goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher now reportedly on their radar to try and replicate said successful spending.
Alongside Kelleher, Leeds could also be looking to the future in attempting to bring some up-and-coming starlets to Elland Road, with this potential new import from Turkey going down as the club’s next Wilfried Gnonto if all goes to plan.
Leeds holding talks to sign teen sensation
As relayed by Turkish outlet Fanatik, prior reports indicated that Leeds are keen to add Besiktas attacking star Semi Kilicisoy to their squad this summer, with Farke lodging a bid of around €12m (£10m) for his services.
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According to their new information, however, the Super Lig side intend to send their teenage sensation out on loan, rather than agree to a permanent deal.
Leeds are said to be ‘open’ to an initial temporary move, although they wish to include an option to buy as part of any deal, with negotiations set to continue.
With Kilicsoy also previously on the shopping lists of Newcastle United and Aston Villa allegedly, Leeds nipping to the front of the queue here could see them secure a seriously impressive youngster who might go for way more than £10m down the line.
After all, Gnonto only cost Farke’s side £3.8m to land from Switzerland all the way back in the summer of 2022, with the rest now history when it comes to the Italian’s prowess in the Championship and beyond.
Why Kilicsoy can be Gnonto 2.0
Gnonto was once an unknown name to Whites supporters before his major switch from FC Zurich three years ago. Now, he’s one of the most beloved figures in the camp.
The punt taken to bring the then-teenage sensation to English soil has more than paid off, therefore, with Gnonto now up to 22 goals and 13 assists donning Leeds white from 118 overall clashes.
Kilicsoy will hope he can make his transition to English football look as seamless as Gnonto’s, considering he has been scoring goals in and around the Besiktas first team since the tender age of just 17.
In total, the Black Eagles prodigy has fired home 16 strikes and picked up nine assists from 84 senior games, with his ability to line up either down the wing or through the centre throughout his Besiktas education also drawing obvious similarities to his diminutive counterpart.
ST
93
44
4
LW
45
7
11
RW
9
1
0
SS
1
1
0
Indeed, a large portion of Kilicsoy’s youth goals for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men came from a striker spot when glancing at the above table.
Gnonto has also lined up here previously, away from being a trusty option down the flanks, with six senior career appearances coming his way up top, alongside also being versatile enough to slot in as a second striker presence if necessary.
Therefore, the 19-year-old starlet might well be ready to become Leeds’ next Gnonto in offering Farke another flexible body in the attacking positions.
Hailed too as a “physical monster” by football analyst Ben Mattinson for his ability to wriggle free of Super Lig defenders, Kilicsoy could also be unfazed by the rough and tumble of Premier League football to come, as the German in the Elland Road dug-out prays all these signings work out in Leeds’ mission to beat the punishing drop.
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