Leeds United pushing to sign 17-goal striker - Newcastle United want him as well | OneFootball

Leeds have rekindled interest in a forward they nearly signed in 2022 but they'll have stiff opposition of they want to secure his services this time.

Leeds United are reported to be interested in signing Stade Rennais striker Arnaud Kalimuendo, a player that they came very close to signing in 2022.

Leeds are rebuilding for another crack at the Premier League, following promotion from the Championship with 100 points at the end of the 2024/25 season.

This followed the heartbreak of defeat in the play-offs to Southampton in the 2024 play-off final.

But with the newly-promoted clubs all having been relegated from the Premier League at the end of the season, Leeds will already be fully aware of the need to strengthen their squad ahead of the coming one.

Scoring goals last season wasn't a problem. The 95 they managed in 2024/25 was 26 more than the next-highest goalscorers in the division, Burnley. But the Premier League is a different matter, and Leeds will need strong back-up in every position if they're to make the most of their return.

Leeds will again face stiff opposition over Arnaud Kalimuendo

TBR reports that Leeds' interest in the Stade Rennais striker Arnaud Kalimuendo has been re-lit, following promotion back to the Premier League.

They were close to signing Kalimuendo from PSG in 2022, after he scored 13 goals while on loan at Lens during the 2021/22 season, but were pipped to the post by Rennes.

It is now reported that the Ligue Un club could be ready to cash in on the young striker, but Leeds aren't expected to be alone in this chase. L'Equipe has recently reported that both Bayer Leverkusen and Newcastle United could be interested in the player, and both of these clubs could offer him the possibility of Champions League football next season.

Kalimuendo has developed as a player since Leeds were last interested in him

Arnaud Kalimuendo was still on the books of PSG when Leeds last tried to take him to Elland Road in 2022, but they were pipped to the post by Stade Rennais.

In the three years since then, though, Kalimuendo has gone from strength to strength with Rennes and ended last season as the third-highest scorer in Ligue Un, behind Ousmane Dembele and Mason Greenwood.

Figures from SofaScore

Newcastle's interest in the player is also long-standing. They made a £15 million bid for him in 2022 as well, which was rejected. But while they can offer him the possibility of Champions League football should their interest go that far again this summer, they might not necessarily be able to offer him a place in their first team.

Kalimuendo won't come cheap, considering his goalscoring record in Ligue Un last year and the fact that he still has two years to run on his contract with Stade Rennais, but at 23 years of age and having grown as a player since they last went in for him, he could be exactly the sort of player that Leeds need as they strengthen ahead of their return to the Premier League.