Leeds United are now stepping up their pursuit of a "rapid" star, and they are aiming to seal a deal very quickly.

Leeds looking to sign players capable of making instant impact

Paraag Marathe wasn't able to confirm whether Leeds are planning to make a 'marquee signing' this summer, but the chairman was crystal clear about the intention to sign players capable of making an instant impact.

Marathe said: "Both big and marquee are relative terms, so what's marquee to you may not be marquee to me. But I will say I think (with) who we are pursuing already, we are not trying to bring in squad players that maybe come on in the 85th minute, we're trying to bring in players who make an impact right away.

"We already have a pretty good squad and a squad I'm proud of, so by that, there will be impact players."

Having shipped 56 goals in the Premier League last season, the second-highest number of any side to avoid relegation, it may be particularly important to bring in defensive reinforcements, and Manchester City's Nathan Ake has emerged as a target.

However, the Whites also want to raid a club that made it to the Champions League quarter-finals.

Leeds stepping up pursuit of "rapid" defender

According to a report from 225 Foot (via Sport Witness), Leeds have now been making moves to sign Sporting CP star Ousmane Diomande, and they are keen to wrap up a deal as soon as possible.

However, the 49ers may have to smash the existing transfer record to tempt Sporting into a sale, with the Portuguese side setting an asking price of €50m (£43m).

Despite the huge price tag, talks could progress quickly, given that the Ivorian is eager to make a move to the Premier League, should he decide to leave Sporting this summer.

Zach Lowy is a massive fan of the centre-back, who is still just 22-years-old, with the journalist suggesting he is a big-game player, who has everything it takes to reach the very top.

The Ivorian missed large parts of the 2025-26 campaign due to injuries and AFCON, but he was an important player when called upon, averaging 6.2 defensive contributions per 90 in the Liga Portugal, the second-highest number in the squad.

Diomande has also cut his teeth in the Champions League, making 18 appearances in the competition, and he could be a marquee signing for Leeds, who will be looking to kick on next season, and consolidate themselves as a Premier League club.

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