Leeds believe they can sign “quick” £3m Celtic star for cheap this summer

49ers Enterprises are trying to sign one of Celtic’s star players for Leeds United on the cheap while they progress in their deal to complete a majority takeover at Rangers.

Leeds suffer double injury blow while 49ers pursue new takeover

Leeds’ title hopes suffered a slight dent over the weekend as they were held to a 1-1 draw with West Bromwich Albion. Ahead of that game with the Baggies, Daniel Farke confirmed a significant injury blow for the Whites, as midfielder Ethan Ampadu is “definitely out for a few weeks” and surgery could possibly be required.

“It’s a bit of a complicated situation. Surgery would have meant that he would have been out for the rest of the season, but after a few consultations, we have decided to try and go the conservative route. There’s a good chance that if the rehab programme works in the proper way, that this will be successful, but it would still mean that he’s definitely out for a few weeks.

“Normally, we’d expect him to be out for four to six weeks, so it means we won’t see him back in team training this side of the international break.

“Fingers crossed, everything works in the proper way, then we have him available for at least the run in, but there’s also still a chance that the conservative route doesn’t work out and he would need the surgery in the end.”

Things then got worse for Leeds, as Farke confirmed after the West Brom game that Mateo Joseph had picked up an injury

Off the pitch, 49ers Enterprises are in advanced talks to complete a takeover at Rangers, having agreed a deal in principle to acquire at least 51 per cent of the shares in a move led by Paraag Marathe, and it seems the new Ibrox chiefs may damage their rivals by bringing a top Celtic star south of the border.

Leeds believe their “quick” target can be signed on the cheap

As the Yorkshire side try to deal with their injuries on the pitch, attention off it is turning to the summer and the 49ers’ plans, and according to Football Insider, Leeds believe they can sign Nicolas Kuhn on the cheap from Celtic.

It was reported last month that Leeds, along with Everton and Crystal Palace, are interested in signing Kuhn from the Hoops, who has enjoyed an impressive season in Scotland. And this new update claims there is a belief that any deal they pursue would come at a low cost given the meagre £3m transfer fee Celtic spent to sign Kuhn from Rapid Wien.

The 25-year-old joined the Hoops in January last year, and while he struggled in his first six months, he has become very important for the Scottish champions this campaign, netting 10 goals in the league. His performances haven’t gone unnoticed, with Brendan Rodgers very impressed by Kuhn, who he labels “quick”.

“You want them to be ready immediately, but he *(Kuhn) came into the club during a challenging period in January. He had issues around his fitness and health and everything else.

“He just landed in the middle of that difficult time, and it took him a little while. But he’s had a really good pre-season. He’s always been quick, one of the quickest players you’ll see, but I think now there’s more variety in his game, coming inside and out.”