Leeds United join the list of clubs eyeing Christantus during the summer transfer window

ENGLISH Premier League giants Leeds United are looking to sign Nigerian winger Christantus Uche during the forthcoming summer transfer window as part of an ambitious squad-building programme.

Newly-promoted Leeds dominated English football in the 1970s and now that they are back in the top flight, the club is looking to regain the glory days of yesteryears. To be able to compete, however, Leeds will need a wholesale purchase of new players and it is believed that the club's management has set aside a war chest of £150m for this purpose.

Christantus, 22, who made his Super Eagles debut during the recent Unity Cup at Brentford's stadium in London, has attracted a lot of interest since joining Getafe last summer. He joined Getafe from Ceuta, who play in the third tier of Spanish football and he has quickly adapted to life in La Liga scoring four goals, including a vital one that saved Getafe from relegation and has provided six assists in 33 games for Getafe.

Leeds manager Daniel Farke will be looking for attacking reinforcements with Manor Solomon's loan now up and Uche, who has a  Christantus, 22, who has a €22m (£18.5m) release clause offers new options. Uche, who can also play as a playmaker, is valued at €8m according to Transfermarkt but Africa Foot reports that Getafe will not accept anything less than €20m.

Getafe can afford to hold out as Uche's release clause is set at €25m and he still has three years left on his contract. Over the next three years, Uche will be expected to reach the top of his game, so staying at Getafe might not be the best decision for him if he wants to reach the top of his game.

One source close to the deal said: "It's no surprise to see the Whites linked with reinforcements in wide areas of the pitch given Solomon's departure. Uche managed to score four goals and notch six assists for Getafe in La Liga last season."

"If they spend another £100m to £150m on top of what they’ve got, they give themselves a much better chance of staying up. It's been well documented that Leeds will have a big budget this summer in an attempt to stave off relegation but spending hundreds of millions doesn't guarantee you survival, so Leeds need to spend wisely this summer."