Leeds United are interested in signing Lazio and Kosovo striker Vedat Muriqi in the January transfer window, according to a new transfer rumour.
The Lowdown: Muriqi forging impressive career
The 27-year-old has often caught the eye at international level for Kosovo, scoring 18 goals in 37 caps, an average of just under one in every two matches.
Also, back in 2019, his then-Fenerbahce team-mate Max Kruse described him as “Very ambitious, very enthusiastic, very hardworking… I compare him to Lewandowski”. That is lofty praise given how the Bayern Munich striker has netted 325 goals in 355 appearances for the Bundesliga champions.
Muriqi isn’t having such a fruitful time of things at Lazio, though, only managing one Serie A start this season and struggling to force his way into Maurizio Sarri’s plans. For that reason, a January exit looks set to be on the cards, and Leeds may be ready to swoop.
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The Latest: Leeds interested in Muriqi
According to La Lazio Siamo Noi [via Sport Witness], the Whites have a ‘formula’ to sign the Kosovan from Lazio, with their interest ‘registered in recent hours’ after Hull City pulled out of a move.
Muriqi’s current deal doesn’t expire until the summer of 2025, but the Serie A club could still be keen to offload him if the right offer comes along.
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The Verdict: Ideal January signing
Leeds are badly in need of attacking firepower in January, especially with Patrick Bamford suffering such an injury-plagued season to date.
There is too much reliance on the 27-year-old for goals – he is still the Whites’ joint-second-top scorer in the Premier League this season, despite only starting five games in the division – and Muriqi could help to ease that issue.
Granted, he has struggled at club level of late, but his international record speaks for itself and he could be an ideal man to bring into Marcelo Bielsa’s squad. Given that he scored freely in Turkey before joining Lazio, perhaps a change of scenery is all that’s needed to get the Kosovan firing again.
In other news, Leeds are eyeing up a move for a Premier League midfielder. Find out who it is here.