According to the reports from Birmingham Mail, Leeds United are linked with a move for Algerian striker Baghdad Bounedjah. However, he recently went on to say that he is very happy playing in the Qatar Stars League for Al Sadd. Bounedjah was part of the Algerian side which recently went on to win the AFCON Nations Cup by defeating Senegal in the final by one goal to nil.
The 27-year-old striker had a terrific campaign for Al Sadd last season as he bagged a whopping 42 goals in all competitions along with ten assists in 33 appearances. The striker had been linked with the Whites in the past, but nothing materialised at that time.
Bounedjah recently went on to have his say on the transfer rumours. The Algerian said, ”Yes, I have offers, but I feel very good at Al Sadd. I do not know what will happen in the future, but I can assure you that I am happy at my current club.”
Does Leeds United need a striker?
The Whites currently have Patrick Bamford and Eddie Nketiah as the two main strikers at the club. Tyler Roberts is also an option who can lead the line. Bielsa has preferred to start with Bamford so far this season. The English forward has now gone ten games without scoring. The Whites have been guilty of missing chances in the final third, and they could probably do with a clinical striker.
Can Boundejah be a good bet for Bielsa?
The Algerian striker’s goal-scoring exploits are eye-catching, but we can’t really comment on the quality of the Qatari league. However, he is a 33 time Algerian international and has goals at the national level as well. Bounedjah’s only experience at the club level has come in the Algerian league and now the Qatari league. Therefore he is yet to play in Europe, and we don’t see the Whites being interested in him in January or even in the future.
Maybe we could be wrong, and possibly United’s scout system rate him highly. Even then also it would be a significant risk for the Whites to sign him given that he has no experience of European football.
Last season, reports had come out that Al Sadd would demand a whopping £13.25m for him. Therefore even if the forward is available for half that price, the Whites are unlikely to spend that much on a 27-year-old striker who has only played in Algeria and Qatar before.
