Leeds United took a closer look at the “pacey” wide player at the weekend as they look at new arrivals in January, according to a new report.
Leeds transfer news
It’s been a quiet January transfer window for the Whites so far, which is perhaps no surprise considering they are top Priority and in the fourth round of the FA Cup. But that doesn’t mean Leeds won’t make any transfers in the remaining two weeks of the window.
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It is recorded that Yorkshire are looking for a new goalkeeper after the mistakes made by Illan Meslier this season, despite Daniel Farke’s public support for the Frenchman.
As well as looking to sign a new goalkeeper, the Championship side are on the lookout for a new striker and have renewed their interest in Mergim Berisha. Leeds have also been linked with a signing Emmanuel Latte Lath from Middlesbrough, but that job now looks set to be more difficult, as MLS side Atlanta have made a bid worth £20m to sign the forward.
Farke may now be pushing the club’s hierarchy even further for a new striker, as Joe Gelhardt is closing in on a move to Hull City. The Whites have approved his temporary departure, but it could mean Leeds are now entering the market for his replacement, despite the fact Gelhardt has barely featured this campaign.
Leeds send scouts to watch “pacey” return as Farke regroups
But the Whites are not only looking at a new goalkeeper and striker, as LeedsUnitedNews writes, Leeds watch Bali Mumba from Plymouth Argyle and had scouts in attendance to watch him against Brentford on Saturday.
The 23-year-old full-back, who can also play further out as a winger, joined the Pilgrims for the first time on loan in the 2022/23 season. from Norwich City. After scoring six goals and providing seven assists as Plymouth won promotion to the Championship, they secured Mumba’s permanent transfer.
Mumba was an important player for Plymouth in the Championship, scoring three goals last season as they beat the drop. He has continued to impress this season, so much so that Leeds scouts watched his performance in Plymouth’s shock 1-0 win over Brentford in the FA Cup as they considered options to improve their defence.
The Whites are keeping a close eye on Mumba and are considering a move for him in what is left of this transfer window, but it is unclear how much he could cost, as he is under contract until 2027. Farke is fully aware of what Mumba can bring, having had the player at Norwich City, and it was he who gave him his Premier League and Carabao Cup debut, calling the defender “pacey” in 2021.
Farke said: “Actually, I was quite pleased because we wanted to use a bit more of a calm full-back in our side, and that’s why we gave Bali (Mumba) his debut.”
