Leeds United plot move for exciting attacker - €20m fee previously touted | OneFootball

Leeds' search for fresh attacking blood is continuing after promotion

Leeds United are plotting a move for Besiktas' young striker, Semih Kilicsoy.

This is according to a report from Turkish media outlet, Yeni Asir, as the Whites continue to be linked with an array of potential attacking options as they prepare for life back in the Premier League.

Daniel Farke's side had the most lethal attack in the Championship this season, with a tally of 95 goals the biggest factor in their eventual title-winning campaign, which concluded in dramatic fashion against Plymouth Argyle at Home Park on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the 19-year-old's current employers still have four more games of the Turkish Süper Lig season to play under the management of former Manchester United boss, Ole Gunnar Solskjær, with the 'Black Eagles' currently competing for a European place having put a huge dent in Fenerbahçe's fading title hopes on Sunday.

And, with a critical transfer window at Elland Road on the horizon as United look to succeed where the last six newly-promoted sides have failed, Kilicsoy has emerged as a strong target for the hierarchy in West Yorkshire.

Leeds United hierarchy plot move for Besiktas' Semih Kilicsoy

Despite possessing the second-tier's top-scorer in Joel Piroe, who will gain experience of top-flight football in England for the first time after netting 73 goals in 179 appearances for Leeds and Swansea City, Leeds have been linked with a plethora of forward targets who offer a vast range of experience and attributes.

The likes of Jamie Vardy, Daizen Maeda and Troy Parrott have all emerged as potential buys for Farke in the past week, as well as reports claiming that Everton's top-scorer, Beto, is also of interest as claims of a £100m+ transfer budget in LS11 also emerged.

And such speculation hasn't stopped there either, with Yeni Asir claiming that representatives of the club will travel to Istanbul in the coming weeks to negotiate a deal for the four-time Türkiye international, who has progressed through the ranks at the Tüpraş Stadyumu.

Just a month ago, it was reported by CaughtOffside that Newcastle United, Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest, Everton and Fulham are all strong admirers of the striker, who is valued at approximately €20m.

However, the fresh update continues by stating that the Leeds' hierarchy see Kilicsoy as a long-term investment, and that a deal which involves an initial loan move will be put forward.

The Istanbul-born prodigy has made 81 senior appearances for Besiktas since making his debut as a 17-year-old against Antalyaspor in February 2023, and has scored on 16 occasions - four of which have come this season - as well as being a part of his nation's 26-man squad at UEFA Euro 2024, where he would play just one minute in the quarter-final defeat against the Netherlands.

Whilst plenty of names linked with a move to Elland Road have already showcased established careers in the UK and across Europe between them, the acquisition of Kilicsoy would see United somewhat go down a different route in terms of their transfer strategy.

It is clear how highly the youngster is rated among the Premier League circle, with clubs who are vying for a UEFA Champions League place at the end of this season looking to add his services to their ranks, although the top-flight in England and Turkiye are completely contrasting.

Having signed a new long-term deal at Besiktas in January 2024, the ball is firmly in their court when it comes to negotiations, which gives a potential indication as to why an initial loan deal is being put forward by Leeds, who could then see how the Turk adapts to life in West Yorkshire before immediately committing to an eight-figure sum, as per recent valuation claims.