Latest reports from Turkish media outlet Fotospor suggests that Leeds United made an unofficial enquiry to sign Besiktas winger Jeremain Lens. The Whites have been linked with him ever since reports from Sports Witness came out that United’s scouts were present in attendance to watch him in action against Norwegian outfit Sarpsborg in the Europa League.
It is believed that the Whites enquired recently about Lens’ price tag through an agent. Turkish club president, Fikret Orman has insisted that they would only talk about their player’s value when the English side makes an official approach for the Dutch winger.
It remains to be seen how keen the Whites would be for this in form winger who has had a previous stint in England with Sunderland. The Dutch international joined Besiktas earlier this summer having spent the last season on loan. United definitely picked the right game to watch him in action as Lens was at his influential best where he scored two goals and provided one assist in his side’s 3-2 win over Sarpsborg.
The 31-year-old winger is currently enjoying a good season in Turkey as he has scored five goals and came up with six assists in all competitions. With Besiktas under constraints (Turkish Football) because of Financial Fair Play, the Turkish giants might look to sell their in-form winger in January.
United meanwhile have done well under Marcelo Bielsa but they can certainly do with an imposing winger like Lens in their squad. The former Dynamo Kyiv player is traditionally a left winger but he can play on the right flank as well, and when required, the 31-year-old can even start up front as a striker. Such versatility should come in handy for the West Yorkshire outfit who have a thin squad at the moment.
Pablo Hernandez is a nailed on starter on the right wing currently and United have Manchester City loanee Jack Harrison as his cover. If the Whites go on to sign Lens in January, it could be likely that Bielsa might deploy him on the left given the way Ezgjan Alioski has underperformed so far.
However, Bielsa has already played down (Leeds Live) any possible January signings and given the fact that the winger is currently playing in Europe, it is unlikely that he would look for a switch at the Championship level. Not to forget, he signed permanently just this summer and should definitely want to stay after he found his bearings in Turkey.
Maybe because of Financial Fair Play the club might sell him but the winger isn’t expected to come in cheap and given that he is already 31, Bielsa might not be too keen on a possible move. However, someone like Lens can have an instant impact in the first team, and if the Whites are presented with an opportunity, they should definitely try to sign him if he is available for a reasonable price.
