Report: Leeds submit bid for ex West Ham midfielder, club make response

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Published on:

30 Aug 2016, 9:59 am

By Tom Blackburn

Luton have rejected a bid from Leeds for highly rated midfielder Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu, according to a report.

HITC Sport claim that Leeds had been eyeing a move for the 23-year-old and submitted a formal offer but it was dismissed by the League Two club.

Mpanzu has impressed with Luton during last season and the early stages of this campaign, which included a starring role as they knocked Aston Villa out of the EFL Cup.

The all action midfielder joined Luton in January 2014, after an initial loan spell from West Ham, and has gone on to make 70 times for the League Two side.

He spent three years at the east Londoners after joining as an 18-year-old but left in search of first-team football.

In that time he has scored on five occasions and has contributed 11 assists, including two this season.

Leeds are searching for a central midfielder, as they look to rid themselves of senior pair Toumani Diagouraga and Luke Murphy.

However, it appears their main target is a striker with Yorkshire Evening Post journalist Lee Sobot claiming on Twitter that Massimo Cellino is searching for a new front man.

A striker is MC's main priority before Wednesday's 11pm transfer deadline but obviously unlikely to be Ashley Fletcher...#lufc #lufclive
— Lee Sobot (@LeeSobotYEP) August 29, 2016

Leeds have already signed one striker in Marcus Antonsson this summer, as well as attacking trio Hadi Sacko, Kemar Roofe and Pablo Hernandez.

Boss Garry Monk has made 10 senior signings in total since arriving in June, bringing in Luke Ayling, Rob Green, Kyle Bartley, Matt Grimes alongside the attackers.

His most recent signings have arrived this week in the shape of Liam Bridcutt and Pontus Jansson, as Leeds search for a way to fix their early season problems.

In other Leeds transfer news, a Championship club are to rival Rangers for a senior Elland Road player.

Leeds United