Back when the first story regarding Marcelo Bielsa’s interest in Baghdad Bounedjah emerged, the link made sense.
Leeds were in need of a new striker, and the Algeria international, of whom the Argentine manager is a big fan, knows where the back of the net is.
However, Al Sadd weren’t interested in selling, and it Leeds went on to sign Patrick Bamford from Middlesbrough instead.
Despite spending £7m on the 25-year-old, the Championship side haven’t been able to use him properly this season due to a knee injury, and Kemar Roofe has been their main striker
But, with the January window approaching, reports from both France and Algeria suggested Bielsa was still interested in Bounedjah, with an improved offer of €18m potentially on its way.
That seemed like a lot to spend midway through the season for the Elland Road based club, but the latest claim from France Football, if true, changes everything.
The French magazine earlier this week reported that Al Sadd could be prepared to let him go either for €5m up front or via a loan with a compulsory view to buy.
That’s far more reasonable than the previous claimed €18m, and is coincidentally what Leeds are said to be valuing Kemar Roofe at after an eyebrow raising article from Italy appeared stating Palermo were keen on signing the West Brom youth product.
At €5m, signing a player who has now scored 28 goals in 14 league games, albeit in the Qatari League, could be very tempting.
Still, it does seem a bit too cheap for an international with a ratio of two goals a game.
We’ll undoubtedly get more clarification in the coming weeks.
