‘I Think He Is Waiting’ – Leeds United Given Encouragement On Striker Target By Journalist | OneFootball

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Leeds United linked striker Ayase Ueda is ‘waiting for a Premier League adventure’ amid strong interest from Fenerbahce, a Dutch journalist believes.

Ueda joined Feyenoord in August 2023 from Belgian side Cercle Brugge for €9m, signing a five-year contract with the Dutch giants.

The 27-year-old has established himself as a vital part of Feyenoord’s attack and scored 25 goals in 31 appearances in the last Eredivisie season, finishing as the league’s top scorer.

He carried his stellar form for Japan at the World Cup, where he scored two goals and provided one assist in four appearances.

His impressive performances attracted the attention of Leeds United, who were credited with being keen on snapping him up in late June.

The Whites have since focused on other areas of the side first, despite being urged to sign another striker, and in that void, Fenerbahce have been pushing for Ueda, with a fee of €20m mooted.

Ueda though may well well not be rushing to Turkey, Dutch journalist Mikos Gouka believes.

He indicated that several clubs have made enquiries, but no Premier League offer has arrived that would tempt Feyenoord to consider selling him.

The Dutch journalist also revealed that an offer from Turkey is now on the table, although the player is currently less interested in making that move and could reconsider if the financial terms prove attractive enough.

Gouka believes that Ueda is ‘waiting for a Premier League adventure’.

Speaking on the Alegmeen Dagblad podcast (via FR12), he said: “My information is that he himself really wants to go to the Premier League, but that the path he dreams of has not yet been mapped out there.

“Clubs have enquired, but no offer has been made yet that would make Feyenoord hesitate.

“Such an offer is coming from Turkey now, but he is initially less keen on that.

“Sometimes that can change depending on the amount involved.

“But I think he is waiting for a Premier League adventure.”

It remains to be seen whether the Whites make an official bid to secure the signature of Ueda this summer, with significant money already having been splashed on James Trafford and Tarik Muharemovic.

Daniel Farke though would likely be seen as taking a risk if he goes into the campaign with just Lukas Nmecha and Dominic Calvert-Lewin as his preferred striking options.