Fulham plot €15 million bid for Leeds United target after offer rejected | OneFootball

Fulham have had a bid rejected from VfB Stuttgart for Leeds United target Silas Katompa Mvumpa and are now readying a second €15 million offer, according to Caught Offside.

The Whites' hopes of returning to the Premier League at the first time of asking were dashed in familiar fashion as they came unstuck in the play-offs for the second time in five seasons, losing to Southampton this time in the final at Wembley after finishing third in the league standings.

The repercussions of that will become clearer as the summer window unfolds. But with the likes of Championship Player of the Year Crysencio Summerville and Wilfried Gnonto set to be in high demand this summer, Leeds are going to need to rebuild parts of their team, including bolstering their attacking options ahead of next season.

Daniel Farke faces a battle to keep hold of Summerville this summer, with The Mirror reporting the Dutchman has attracted interest from Liverpool and Crystal Palace, while The Athletic noted Newcastle are also keeping tabs on the 22-year-old, who scored 19 goals in 45 league appearances last season.

Summerville has also been linked with a move to Bayer Leverkusen, according to German outlet Sportbild, and Brighton are said to be able to offer Summerville the opportunity to play regular first-team football, highlighting that there's no shortage of interest across Europe.

In April, meanwhile, Football Insider reported Leeds were likely to accept offers in the region of £30 million for Gnonto, who scored eight goals in 36 games in the Championship last term. However, Leeds will retain some of their playing squad for another shot at Championship promotion.

Brenden Aaronson is sticking around next season, and Dan James is expected to as well; but with Jaidon Anthony's loan ending, and Summerville and Gnonto's futures up in the air, it is likely to leave Leeds short in wide areas, which will become an area to address this summer.

Leeds' interest in Stuttgart's Silas

Leeds and Fulham have taken an interest in Stuttgart attacker Silas, according to BILD. According to the report, the player is thinking of leaving his current squad and considering his impressive scoring and assisting statistics from the 2023/24 campaign, it's no surprise that there is plenty of interest in the player.

Premier League outfit Fulham are thought to be keen on him, as well as Leeds, who could be at a disadvantage in this race considering they remain in the second tier. BILD believe that any team who wants to sign Silas may have to cough up between €8 million and €10 million to lure him away from the Bundesliga - a price tag that could be a steep one for Leeds.

Fulham have now reportedly seen a bid rejected for the 25-year-old, according to Caught Offside. The Cottagers have started their bidding at €8 million in an attempt to get their business done early for the DR Congo international, who has two years remaining on his contract with Stuttgart.

It is said that the West Londoners are now readying a second bid, worth €15 million for Silas but they could find it tough to convince him as it is thought he won't priortise leaving the Bundesliga club as they're set to play Champions League football next season.

Silas has been with Stuttgart since 2019, joining the club while they were still in the German second tier. He has played a key role in their rise up the ranks, though, with 35 goals and 21 assists coming in 131 appearances for the club, per Transfermarkt.

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Leeds United's forward line in 2024/25

It's unclear at this stage if Leeds will step up their interest in the versatile wide attacker, with the Whites' financial situation unclear until sales are made, and even with a second year of parachute payments, they may have a very limited amount to spend in the transfer market after some big spending in recent years.

Either way, somewhat of a retooling of the forward line is needed this summer, and Leeds will want to replace the raw speed, dynamism, and end product of Summerville. Silas has the direct dribbling and athleticism to be a success at Elland Road.

However, a passer is a must for Leeds in the summer. Most of their attacking players thrive in counter-attacking moments, but they need a playmaker on top of the transitional threats of Georginio Rutter, James, Aaronson, and possibly Silas now as well.