Leeds target Frankfurt ace Daichi Kamada but transfer depends on one condition
Leeds United could move for Daichi Kamada instead of Brenden Aaronson after reportedly making the Eintracht Frankfurt star a transfer target.
Leeds have been pursuing Red Bull Salzburg’s Aaronson for several months. They had two bids rejected in the January window as Salzburg didn’t want to sell midway through a campaign.
Jesse Marsch’s team are likely to come back in for the attacking midfielder this summer. They know the Red Bull outfit will sell as long as the price is right.
A summer deal will also give Salzburg time to find a replacement ahead of next season, meaning Aaronson could end up at Elland Road.
But a transfer for the USA international is not guaranteed and Leeds are reportedly scouting for alternatives in his position.
One player they have landed on is Frankfurt ace Kamada, according to Football Insider. He left his native Japan in July 2017 to join Frankfurt for a small fee.
The 25-year-old spent a season on loan in Belgium before breaking into the Frankfurt starting eleven during 2019-20.
And Kamada made a big impression, notching 10 goals and nine assists in all competitions.
Daichi Kamada excelling at Frankfurt
He has been a regular in the team ever since. This term, Kamada is on nine goals and three assists from 42 matches.
The most recent of those goals came against West Ham in the Europa League. Kamada was involved in some nice build-up play and then finished into an open net after pouncing on Alphonse Areola’s parried save.
That gave Frankfurt a 2-1 victory in the first leg of their semi-final. It clearly impressed scouts from Leeds, as the Whites are now monitoring his situation ahead of a potential move.
Leeds officials will be sent to watch him during the second leg at the Waldstation on Thursday night.
Marsch knows Kamada well, having come up against the Japan international during his time managing RB Leipzig.
The Yorkshire club view him as a potential addition to add more goals to their team. This would mean they are less reliant on the likes of Patrick Bamford and Raphinha.
The need to sign either Kamada or Aaronson will increase if Raphinha leaves Elland Road this summer. Barcelona are considering an offer for him, should Leeds suffer relegation to the Championship.
Leeds’ hopes of signing Kamada are boosted by his contract situation. His current terms expire in June 2023 and a renewal is not yet in sight.
But there is one crucial factor Leeds must consider before making a bid for the Bundesliga ace. Whites director of football Victor Orta will only green light one if they stay up.
Playing in the second tier would force Leeds to cut back on their transfer expenditure and wage bill.
Kamada looks like he could be a shrewd signing for the club. He has shown his ability to play against Premier League opposition by performing well versus West Ham.
However, Aaronson is still Leeds’ main target – and rightly so. He appears perfect for their system and would work extremely well alongside compatriot Marsch.
The post Leeds target Frankfurt ace Daichi Kamada but transfer depends on one condition appeared first on TEAMtalk.