It was always a big ask to assume Marcelo Bielsa would want the Jerry Mbakogu deal to go through.
The Argentine has certainly worked systems with a target man previously, most notably with Fernando Llorente at Athletic Club Bilbao, but it’d be no surprise if he has his own ideas for the market.
Italy’s media continued to assume a deal would be done, it was thought Leeds United had given their word and Carpi had spoken publicly about the situation on multiple occasions. Then came claims Leeds were looking for a discount on the €3.5m agreed fee, citing concerns over the player’s fitness.
Mbakogu missed much of the end of the season due to a knee injury, and the Championship club using that to lower the fee was understandable, but it also started suggestions a deal could be off.
On Wednesday, we covered claims from Italy that Bielsa’s view could ‘blow up’ the potential transfer, and on Thursday that theme continues.
Il Mattino report ‘it had seemed made’ but Bielsa has given a ‘no’ to Leeds United signing Jerry Mbakogu.
