An update has emerged regarding the plans of reported Leeds target Okay Yokuslu between now and the end of the transfer window.
What’s the talk?
According to Marca, the Turkey international is working with his agent to secure a transfer to the Premier League from Celta Vigo. He has been left out of their latest friendly squad as he attempts to leave the Spanish club to return to England.
Leeds, Watford and Wolves are reportedly interested in signing the defensive midfielder, who is said to be valued at €6m (£5m).
Imagine him and Phillips
This update provides a boost to Leeds as it shows that Yokuslu is eager to seal a move to the Premier League, giving the Whites the edge over foreign clubs as they prepare for their second season back in the English top flight. However, there is still work to be done with Watford and Wolves also competing for his signature, which means that Victor Orta must act quickly to get a deal over the line.
If Leeds can bring him in, he could form a terrifying partnership with Kalvin Phillips in midfield. The Turk averaged 4.6 tackles and interceptions per game in the Premier League, a tally that no Leeds midfielder was able to match last term. This shows that he is adept at pressing the opposition and winning the ball back, which makes him ideal for Marcelo Bielsa’s style of play.
Phillips made 4.2 tackles and interceptions per game last term, averaging a WhoScored rating of 7.01. To this point, he was the only Leeds midfielder who managed a higher score than Yokuslu, who produced a WhoScored rating of 6.96 in 16 appearances for West Brom on loan.
His former Baggies teammate Kyle Bartley lavished praise on the enforcer last season, saying: “He’s been brilliant. He seems to have settled in really quickly which is always important for a player at a new club.
“You can see already that he’s a really good player. I thought he was great against Manchester United on his full debut and then he backed that up with another impressive performance on Saturday against Burnley.
“He’s tenacious. He’s good on the ball. He’s calm and composed. I think he’s made a big difference in there.”
These comments from Bartley, along with Yokuslu’s impressive statistics, suggest that the 27-year-old could be a rock-solid midfielder to play alongside Phillips – or in front of in a two – next season. Teams could struggle to break Leeds down if Phillips and Yokuslu are making an eye-catching 8.8 tackles and interceptions per game just between the two of them, should they replicate their 2020/21 performance levels.
This is why Leeds should be signing the Turkish powerhouse in the coming weeks. Supporters could enjoy his robust performances and strong tackles, allowing the forwards such as Raphinha and Patrick Bamford to weave their magic in the final third.
AND in other news, Leeds preparing offer for beast whose “fitness is incredible”, Bielsa would love him…