Leeds United submit £16.7m bid for Newcastle United transfer ‘target’

Leeds United have launched a £16.7million bid to sign Newcastle United-linked forward Arnaud Kalimuendo, according to reports in France.

The 20-year-old is one of several young attackers to be linked with a move to St James’ Park this summer after a deal for Hugo Ekitike fell through.

Kalimuendo fits the profile of the type of forward Eddie Howe is targeting - young and has the potential to grow with the football club.

But the Magpies aren’t the only Premier League club apparently interested in the France under-21s international with Leeds also monitoring his situation.

And it’s claimed by Media Foot that the Whites have tabled a €20m bid (£16.7m), though Paris Saint-Germain could demand up to €5m more.

Kalimuendo has spent the last two seasons on loan at Lens in Ligue 1, where he scored 21 goals in 65 appearances.

Reflecting on his loan stint with Lens, saying: “I never had any doubts, because I have a lot of ambition and I want to finish very well here. I want to leave a good mark and Europe would be a good thing.”

The positivity was more than matched by Lens manager Franck Haise as he praised the forward and backed up to progress further.

He said: “Arnaud Kalimuendo has now played 30 more games. This allows him to develop in every aspect. The Kali in a year or five years will be another player.

“Every minute, every goal scored or not scored brings him things. He’s progressed well during these two seasons in Lens.”

PSG have a number of attacking options at their disposal already including Kylian Mbappe, Neymar, Lionel Messi, Mauro Icardi and Ekitike.