Leeds United Set To Rival Sunderland And Trabzonspor For This Former Chelsea Attacker: What Should Farke Do | OneFootball

If a recent report from the Turkish outlet Takvim is believed to be true, Trabzonspor are eyeing a summer swoop for Jeremie Boga, who has also emerged as a transfer target for newly-promoted Premier League duo Leeds United and Sunderland. OGC Nice, his current employers, are willing to offload him this summer, and have reduced his asking fee to €12m.

The 28-year-old France-born Ivory Coast international progressed through the youth ranks of ASPTT Marseille before being roped in by Chelsea for their esteemed academy setup. He spent two successive seasons on loan in Ligue 1 and La Liga with Rennes and Granada, respectively, for first-team football. The attacker returned to London, and despite making his senior debut against Burnley in gameweek 1, he was loaned out again, this time at Birmingham City in the English Championship.

CREMONA, ITALY – APRIL 01: Jeremie Boga of Atalanta celebrates after scoring the 1-2 goal during the Serie A match between US Cremonese and Atalanta BC at Stadio Giovanni Zini on April 01, 2023, in Cremona, Italy. (Photo by Marco M. Mantovani/Getty Images)

With no future at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea sanctioned his £3.5m move to Sassuolo in the summer of 2018. There, he impressed down the wide, and eventually completed a €22m transfer to Atalanta following an initial six-month loan in 2022. However, the Ivorian failed to stake a claim in Gian Piero Gasperini’s long-term plans, and the Serie A giants let him join Nice for €18m a couple of summers back.

Should Leeds United Gamble On Boga?

Boga had a productive debut campaign for the Eagles, but he only netted thrice last season, as the form and fitness woes restricted him to just 13 starts in 24 appearances across competitions. A fresh start might help him revive his form, and it remains to be seen whether he explores Turkey or returns to the familiar surroundings to finish his unfinished business in English football.

Leeds United have already lost the battle twice to the Black Cats for midfield pair Habib Diarra and Noah Sadiki, and therefore, must step up the chase for Boga if they are indeed keen on having him at Elland Road this summer.

Why They Are Chasing A Wide Attacker

Daniel Farke has done it again, as they brought the Whites back in the top-flight, having done so on two occasions previously with Norwich City. Having said that, the Canaries could not escape relegation both times, and the German boss must aim for quality signings over quantity to turn things around.

The West Yorkshire side have Daniel James, Wilfried Gnonto, and Largie Ramazani, who were pivotal to their promotion by conquering the Championship crown. But they would miss the services of Tottenham Hotspur-loanee Manor Solomon, who has now returned to his parent club, having scored 10 goals and laid on 12 times in 39 league games while featuring from the left-hand flank.

What Boga Would Offer In Leeds Colours

Meanwhile, the future of Jack Harrison remains up in the air as he is back in the pre-season camp after a two-year loan stint in the Premier League with Everton. Boga could be a competent successor of Solomon for his profound experience across Europe’s top leagues over the years.

His numbers might not be as impressive as the Israeli wideman’s, but he would create chances high up the pitch with his flair, take-ons, dribbling, crosses and cut-insides as an inverted winger. Boga prefers to drag the opponents and hold on to the ball using his physical strength, thus making space for his teammates to utilise the pockets and channels in and around the attacking third.