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Leeds United rekindle interest in 18-goal striker they came close to signing in 2022

Giuseppe Labellarte

Wed 28 May 2025 5:30, UK

TBR Football can exclusively confirm that Leeds United have rekindled their interest in a striker they thought they had signed three years ago.

Leeds United are back in the Premier League at the second time of asking after sealing automatic promotion from the Championship this year.

The Whites have been out of the Premier League since 2023 and they fell at the final hurdle last year, losing to Southampton in the playoff final.

However, Leeds and Southampton are now swapping places, and the Whites now have an opportunity to sign a striker they very nearly signed back in 2022.

READ MORE: Leeds in loan talks over title-winning goalkeeper likened to Iker Casillas

Leeds United keen on Rennes striker Arnaud Kalimuendo

TBR Football chief correspondent Graeme Bailey understands that Leeds have rekindled their interest in France Under-21 forward Arnaud Kalimuendo.

Leeds were in talks with Paris Saint-Germain over Kalimuendo back in 2022. Indeed, it was reported that Leeds were close to striking a deal for Kalimuendo.

However, Rennes ended up signing the young Frenchman instead, as he joined the Ligue 1 club for a fee of around £21million.

Kalimuendo has impressed at Rennes, but with his contract running until 2027, it looks as though the club are now willing to cash in on him.

Leeds will be up against Newcastle United in pursuit of the 23-year-old. TBR Football sources understand they see him as a replacement for Callum Wilson.

How Arnaud Kalimuendo has fared for Rennes over the past three years

Kalimuendo has developed his skills further over the three years that he has been at Rennes.

Indeed, he would probably be a better player for Leeds this time round than would have been the case had he joined in 2022.

Kalimuendo has three seasons of regular first-team football under his belt, and his goal tally at Rennes has improved with each passing year.

“He’s a very interesting player when it comes to finding space,” former Rennes head coach Bruno Genesio previously said of Kalimuendo.

“He understands how to move, when to rush into tight spaces at the right time. He understands the difficulties it gives his opponents.

“He’s also increasingly good with his back to goal. He’s developed an ability to protect it, to keep it under pressure and to turn.

“This makes him a complete attacker, he’s very strong at running.”