Leeds United news as Whites' Charles de Ketelaere…

Leeds United news as Whites' Charles de Ketelaere offer 'currently higher' than AC Milan bid

Here are the latest Leeds United morning headlines on Wednesday, 6 July 2022.

CDK update

Leeds United’s offer for Club Brugge striker Charles de Ketelaere is currently higher than AC Milan’s. That is according to Fabrizio Romano, who claims that the Whites have made a bid worth €30million plus add-ons, with the Serie A champions offering €20million plus add-ons.

Leeds have earmarked de Ketelaere as their top attacking target this summer and are set to pursue the Belgium international strongly once the signings of Tyler Adams and Luis Sinisterra are complete. Victor Orta will need to work hard to beat Milan to de Ketelaere’s signature, though they are currently leading from a financial perspective.

Camara deal

Leeds United are 'unlikely' to firm up their interest in Red Bull Salzburg midfielder Mohamed Camara once the signing of Tyler Adams is completed. That is according to the Daily Express, who claim that while Austrian sources are expecting Leeds to push ahead with a deal once both Raphinha and Kalvin Phillips are sold, it doesn't appear likely at this stage.

Leeds are set to complete the signing of Adams this week from RB Leipzig in a deal that could reach £20 million including add-ons. Camara is another who was on the list and is said to be very keen on a move to the Premier League – and in particular Leeds, though he is expected to return to Salzburg training in the coming days after failing to secure a move.

RB Salzburg Sporting Director Christoph Freund has now addressed speculation linking Camara with a move away, claiming there is a chance the 22-year-old remains at the Austrian champions, but has not ruled out Leeds making a move for him. Speaking to Salzburger Nachrichten, via Sport Witness, he said: “Mo still has a three-year contract with us, so it’s also possible that he’ll continue to play in Salzburg. I can’t predict if Leeds are also willing to buy him out of his contract, but in football, a lot can happen very quickly.”

James on striker role

Laughing at the Leeds United critics is one way Daniel James stays level-headed on his striker experiment, but using Jesse Marsch’s verdict as a shield against the hate is another method. With Patrick Bamford injured for the majority of the season, Rodrigo preferred behind a frontman and Joe Gelhardt protected from too much exposure, the number nine shirt frequently fell on James’s shoulders.

Ever the willing team player, the Wales international stuck to his task. However, his return of four goals from 32 appearances during a season of struggle for the team overall made it easy for the knives to come out.

James’s role at the head of the attack was not one head coach’s stubborn idea either. First Marcelo Bielsa tried it for long periods without a prolific spell for James, but even the arrival of Marsch would not end the experiment.

Evidently, the American saw something in it too. James said: "I don’t read much in the media because you can read 100 good things, one bad thing and it might get you down. Even if I do see something, just keep level-headed, just laugh about it.”