Leeds United could be about to miss out on their main summer signing target, Rodrigo Muniz, after fresh reports claim Italian club Atalanta are confident they can sign the Fulham striker.
Leeds boss Daniel Farke has wanted a new first-choice number nine all summer, and Muniz has been top of the list.
Leeds even put in a big offer of around £32 million for the Brazilian a few weeks ago, but Fulham turned it down.
The hope at Elland Road was that if Fulham bought another forward, it might open the door for Muniz to leave.
But time is running out. The transfer window closes in just over two weeks, and now there’s serious competition from Italy.
Atalanta Move in Fast
Newcastle United were linked with Muniz earlier in the summer, but it is Atalanta who seem to be making the real move now.
Reports from Italy say Atalanta have already made a bid worth more than £34 million, but that offer was also rejected.
Even so, they are still in talks with Fulham and believe a deal is close.
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Top football reporter Fabrizio Romano has said the negotiations are “advancing” and there is confidence in Bergamo that the deal will get done.
One big reason is that Muniz is said to be keen on joining Atalanta.
They finished third in Serie A last season, meaning they can offer Champions League football, something Leeds can’t match right now.
Atalanta also have money to spend after selling striker Mateo Retegui for £56 million to Saudi side Al-Qadsiah last month.
Leeds Running Out of Time
If Atalanta manage to land Muniz, it will be another missed chance for Leeds in this transfer window.
Earlier in the summer, they tried to sign Brazilian winger Igor Paixão from Feyenoord.
That deal looked close until French club Marseille matched the offer and won the race because they could also offer Champions League football.
With the season opener against Everton just days away, Leeds still need reinforcements in attack.
Farke has made it clear he wants at least a striker and a winger, with extra interest in a number ten such as Bilal El Khannouss.
Defensively, Leeds have made good signings and looked strong in pre-season.
But the only forward they’ve brought in is free agent Lukas Nmecha, and Farke is worried that his team’s attack is no better than last season in the Championship.
“In comparison to last season, we have not improved in the offence,” Farke admitted after the 1-1 draw with AC Milan.
“We are capable of playing well, but to win games in the Premier League, you need players who can score goals and create assists.”
If Leeds can’t beat Atalanta to Muniz, they will need to act quickly to find another striker or risk starting the season without the firepower needed to compete.
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