Leeds United are set to submit a club record £50m bid to sign a Premier League star who was recently approached by Tottenham Hotspur, according to reports.
Leeds on brink of FA Cup glory
Daniel Farke expects Chelsea to be back to their “free-flowing best” after sacking head coach Liam Rosenior just four days before facing Leeds in Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final.
When asked if he would have preferred Rosenior to have still been in the Wembley dugout on Sunday, Farke said: “I mind my own business and don’t take decisions for other clubs.
“First of all, you feel also for a colleague and a really good human being and a promising young manager like Liam.
“I’m pretty sure he will still have a big career in management and let’s not forget how young he is. He will also take this as a big experience and grow.
“You always feel for a manager and you don’t want a manager to lose his job, that’s for sure. But, on the other hand, we take it as it is.”
Leeds have fared well against the Premier League’s ‘big guns’ this season and beat Chelsea 3-1 at Elland Road in December before fighting back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 at Stamford Bridge in February.
Many Chelsea fans are pointing the finger at club co-owners Behdad Eghbali and Todd Boehly, whose management they blame for disharmony and instability at Stamford Bridge.
Farke added: “Stability and unity and confidence and to be clear in your values, in your identity, in your principles, how you want to play, is always important.
“But this doesn’t take anything away from the fact that we play a side which is packed with top-class players, with unbelievable potential.
“Chelsea have one of the most talented squads in world football I would say. So many exciting players, exciting young players, who can develop.
“Of course, they are probably not happy with their recent results, but I think in this game, an FA Cup semi-final, it doesn’t play so much of a significant role what happens in the league.
“We are a bit the underdog anyhow, but also the underdog who has a chance.”
Leeds lining up marquee summer move for Joao Gomes
With Premier League safety all but secure, Leeds chiefs are set to reward Farke with a new club record signing this summer, according to journalist Sebastien Vidal, who reports they have already 'taken action' to sign Wolves star Joao Gomes.
Gomes, who was approached by Tottenham recently and is thought to be one of Roberto De Zerbi's first major targets in North London, will leave Molineux this summer after Wolves' relegation was confirmed.
Vidal claims Leeds have already been in talks and have 'clear intent to seal the deal'.
A £50m offer, which would blow their current record arrival out of the water, is expected in the coming weeks.
Leeds have reportedly held talks for a number of Wolves players, but Gomes is arguably the pick of the bunch.
At 25, the Brazil international, labelled a 'super talent' by former boss Gary O'Neil, has played 31 times in the league this season, averaging a whopping 2.9 tackles per game.
That would place him top of the pile at Elland Road, where Ethan Ampadu currently leads the way on 2.4 tackles per game.