TEAMtalk was the first to report that Leeds United had scouts present in Norway on Wednesday evening to check out the impressive attacking duo in Bodø/Glimt, Kasper Høgh and Jens Petter Hauge, while the Whites consider a possible summer purchase.
The Norwegian team continues to make waves in the Champions League this season, and after famous victories over Manchester City and Atletico Madrid in the group stage, they illustrated their growing confidence by knocking out last year’s finalists Inter Milan in the playoff round. Thus, they made history as the first team from their country to reach the knockout stages of the tournament.
Read: Bodø/Glimt can earn as much from player sales as the Champions League
As proof that the progress is no coincidence, Bodø ran over Portuguese giants Sporting Lisbon 3-0 in the first leg of their round of eight on Wednesday night at Aspmyra, and can complete their way to the quarter-finals together with some of Europe’s football royalties in Lisbon next week.
Understandably, their rise has alarmed some of Europe’s big spenders regarding the potential availability of some of their star names. Leeds United were among several Premier League teams that had representatives present at their small Aspmyra Stadium on Wednesday night.
We understand that the Whites were primarily there to check out the Norwegian international Hauge, who operates on the left side of the Bodø attack, but is just as skilled at playing either centrally as a ten, or on the right wing.
The 26-year-old has an impressive six goals and two assists in the Champions League this season in just eleven appearances – the two assists came on Wednesday night – underlining his ability to shine on the biggest stage.
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But we also understand that Leeds took the opportunity to check out Danish striker Høgh, who has had an equally impressive season…
Leeds also follow Bodø/Glimt striker Kasper Høgh
The 25-year-old striker also has impressive numbers this season, scoring his fifth Champions League goal against Sporting to supplement the three assists he also has from eleven games in the tournament.
Høgh, who has never been selected for the Danish national team, and was recently linked with Norwich, will have caught the eye with his goals and movements throughout, although it remains to be seen whether Leeds feel he has the qualities required to make it to the top level of the Premier League.
Read: No doubt, Denmark needs Kasper Høgh!
However, the Whites will be in the market for a new centre-forward this summer to provide more cover and competition for Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha, who have ten goals and seven goals respectively this season.
Leeds actually bid for a club-record £40 million package to sign Norwegian striker Jørgen Strand Larsen in January, but eventually pulled out of the bidding round when Crystal Palace made it clear that they were prepared to outbid them for the outgoing Wolves player.
However, the gap in their squad remains, and it is understood that a new striker will be a priority for the Whites this summer as they look to add a new option to their 3-5-2 formation, which tends to look most threatening with a top-notch striker partnership.
Whether the Whites will follow up that observation report with further interest remains to be seen, although it is expected that the Dane will be on the move this summer, regardless of whether he secures a Premier League move or not.
However, we can confirm that Hauge was the player who was very much the focus of Leeds’ attention, and it remains to be seen if that ultimately translates into a permanent summer offer.
But what we can confirm for now is that Leeds are keeping a close eye on the former AC Milan and Eintracht Frankfurt player, who has finally started to fulfill his very clear potential under the expert guidance of Kjetil Knutsen in the impressive and progressive Norwegian team.
Leeds send Facundo Buonanotte off; Stach has to wait for a new deal
Leeds’ need for a new playmaker/winger is fuelled by Facundo Buonaventure’s failed loan spell at Elland Road.
The Argentine arrived in the January window, the club’s only winter transfer, on loan from Brighton for the remainder of the season, after cancelling a similar deal with Chelsea.
After turning down Leeds for Stamford Bridge in the summer, it was a bit of luck for the Whites. However, the two-time Argentine international has not had the expected effect and after three appearances totalling just 69 minutes so far, it seems to be the hook on the door.
In fact, it was revealed earlier this week that Buonanotte is strongly expected to return to Brighton once his Leeds loan expires, with the story since backed by BBC Radio Leeds.
However, his departure frees up space for a further addition to the Leeds squad; hence the interest in Hauge.
Another winger we can reveal that Leeds are following is currently having a fine season in the Championship, with a number of Premier League clubs, including the Whites, all considering highly-rated Millwall winger Femi Azeez.
But as with Strand Larsen, we can reveal that it is once again Crystal Palace who are currently leading the hunt for the in-form Lions star.
Elsewhere, sources have outlined the status of talks over a new and improved deal for German midfielder Anton Stach, who was an unused reserve on Sunday.
And while we understand that Leeds are open to the possibility of giving Anton Stach a new and improved deal, we’ve been told that the 49ers Enterprises have a more pressing issue to deal with regarding one of his teammates.
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