Leeds United are working hard behind the scenes to bolster their squad before the transfer window slams shut on August 31.
Having made two first team signings so far this summer with Junior Firpo arriving from Barcelona to fill the void at left-back, whilst Kristoffer Klaesson joined to provide some much-needed back up for Illan Mesier.
That may or may not be all the business Leeds do, but they continue to be linked with a number of players including Club Brugge forward Noa Lang.
LeedsLive have collated all the latest information on the Dutchman as the rumours have persisted and you can see below how the story has developed.
Contact made
The Whites have reportedly reached an agreement over a contract for Lang according to the latest in Belgium.
The winger has been linked with Bielsa’s side throughout the summer, but this is the closest a deal is reported to have come with this fresh update putting Victor Orta close to agreeing a deal.
According to Voetbal Belgie, the Whites have agreed personal terms on a deal with Lang and his representatives ahead of a potential switch to Elland Road.
The club are now claimed to be in negotiations with Club Brugge as they look to work out an agreement over a fee.
Lang hs already rejected an improved contract at Brugge as he looks to take the next step in his career.
Bielsa’s preferred signing?
Lang is one of several options which have been discussed by Leeds in their search to bolster Marcelo Bielsa’s attacking options.
Lang or Rangers’ Ryan Kent seem to be favoured by Leeds fans online but it remains to be seen if that is the case for the Leeds Head Coach.
The Argentine is still a huge fan of Manchester United’s Dan James after the club came so close to securing his signature in Bielsa’s first season at the club, only to see Swansea renege on the deal and the transfer deadline pass.
In a Q&A on The Athletic, a fan asked; ‘Winger; James, Kent or Lang?”
The reply came, “my gut feeling is that Bielsa would prefer Kent or James. But whether Leeds will do any of them, or whether when it comes to it Bielsa will actually insist on any of them, is really difficult to tell.”
Brugge stance made clear
Club Brugge boss Philippe Clement has discussed Lang’s future following their sale of fellow forward Emmanuel Dennis to Premier League new boys Watford.
Speaking to Sporza, in quotes carried relayed by Voetbal Nieuws, he said:
“Today, we are in a different situation. We can now refuse certain offers. Our strong players will only leave for really large amounts”.
Fresh links emerge
Leeds United are back on the trail on Noa Lang, according to the latest reports.
The Belgian was a name that was touted for a switch to Elland Road earlier in the window, which has now been reinforced by the claims on transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.
Lang was first mooted as a possible target in the Telegraph in May, with the 21-year-old set to be a permanent Club Brugge player at the end of the month after a loan from Ajax.
The Italian journalist states that Lang is on the Whites’ shortlist, whilst Marcelo Bielsa is close to formally agreeing a new contract.
Initial links
Mike McGrath reported in the Telegraph earlier this month that Lang had become a target for Leeds United, on the back of a season packed with goals in Belgium’s top flight.
Lang was on loan at Club Brugge from parent club AFC Ajax during 2020/21 but moves permanently to the Belgian side this summer as part of a €6 million obligation-to-buy agreement.
That does not rule out the chance of a move elsewhere, but it does make any potential switch more expensive for the purchasing club, which in this case would be Leeds United.
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‘Talks held’
Simon Jones of the Daily Mail reported at the end of May that Leeds United had opened talks with Lang’s representatives.
An exceedingly confident player, Lang’s long-term future looks to lie away from Bruges, having netted 16 goals in the Belgian Pro League.
Jones also reported that Marcelo Bielsa was appealed by Lang’s versatility to play across the front three.
Dutch outlet reveals price-tag
GVA – based in Lang’s native Netherlands – reported that Brugge would only be interested in selling Lang for €25 million, which is their outgoing transfer record.
Leeds spent upwards of that figure on Rodrigo Moreno last summer but it would place Lang amongst the club’s most expensive signings if a deal was agreed.
Lang profiled
Joe Donnohue provided the lowdown on Lang’s style, his positional flexibility and his background at AFC Ajax.
“Lang plays predominantly as a left-sided forward, but is versatile and has been used in a number of positions throughout his footballing education at Ajax’s famed academy setup De Toekomst .
“He is an energetic, hard-working, high-pressing forward who plays across the front, finding space between lines,” he writes.
There is the potential that Lang would be deployed on the left-hand side of Leeds’ attack, but could equally deputise as the centre-forward in Patrick Bamford’s absence.
