Sources: Leeds 'prioritise' forward signing after exit deal agreed
Leeds United have retained their strong interest in signing VfB Stuttgart striker Ermedin Demirovic, sources have told Football Insider.
Daniel Farke is aiming to strengthen his squad in the closing stages of the summer transfer window, and the addition of a new striker is now high on his list of priorities.
The 28-year-old has been identified as a target following his impressive displays in the Bundesliga, but Leeds have been warned any deal will be difficult to do.
As I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider's Transfer Insider podcast, Stuttgart are reluctant to sell Demirovic and do not want to entertain offers at this late stage.
Following their qualification for this season's Champions League league phase, the Bundesliga outfit are determined to keep hold of their best players.
There has also been interest from clubs across Europe, notably including Galatasaray, but Leeds have now been warned that any deal will now be very difficult to pull off.
Could Leeds make a movee to sign Ermedin Demirovic?
Football Insider reported back in May that Leeds were planning to make a fresh move for Demirovic
With Farke now looking to accelerate his efforts to sign a new striker before the window closes, the 28-year-old had once again emerged as a target at Elland Road.
However, they have been warned off of a deal given Stuttgart's reluctance to sell, and will likely be forced to consider other targets in the window's closing stages.
Speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, I explained: "Yeah, I expect Leeds now to look to add to their attacking options having let Joel Piroe leave to go to West Ham on loan.
"Demirovic is a player that they have had a long-term interest in, but again, it’s another difficult deal to do because Stuttgart don't really want to lose him.
"He had a very good season for them last year, he scored 16 goals in 43 games and helped them qualify for the Champions League.
"So that's one big drawback for interested clubs, Stuttgart can offer him Champions League football this season.
"Stuttgart are counting on Demirovic, and they're planning for the new season with the player to be still in the team so again I think it's a difficult deal for Leeds to do and they might have to look elsewhere."
Which other strikers are on Leeds' radar?
Leeds have been determined to add a new striker to their squad since the window opened, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin currently their first-choice number nine.
Farke aims to land a striker who can play alongside the former Everton man, and the Whites have been linked with numerous options across Europe this summer.
Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider in August that Leeds are well-placed to sign Chelsea striker Liam Delap, who could be allowed to leave Stamford Bridge.
He had originally planned to stay in an attempt to impress Xabi Alonso, but following the signing of Danny Welbeck, the Blues are keen to shift their struggling forward.
Leeds are one of a number of clubs to have shown an interest, alongside both Everton and Nottingham Forest, but his £50million valuation could make the deal impossible.