​According to a report on X from Turkish football journalist Ekrem Konur, Leeds United are keeping a firm eye on AC Milan midfielder Yunus Musah. Daniel Farke is reportedly seeking to broaden his central options for the coming Premier League campaign, and Musah is at the top of the club’s list. Leeds even hoped to scout him closely during the World Cup, but international commitments interrupted those plans. They are not alone in chasing the 23-year-old, as West Ham United are also monitoring the situation, having attempted to sign the American last summer. San Siro officials are prepared to do business. Musah has returned to Milan after a season-long loan at Atalanta, and his future in Italy currently looks precarious. Milan would prefer a permanent sale rather than another temporary loan, with talks suggesting a price around €18-20 million for the player. Transfermarkt values him at about €14 million, a figure that reflects recent inconsistent form. Time is of the essence, and both English clubs must move quickly if they want to conclude a deal.
Let’s be candid. On paper, the move is appealing; in reality, the training ground will reveal a different story. Musah’s 2025-26 season was far from standout. He managed only 20 Serie A appearances across the year, split between Atalanta and Milan, with a single goal and a regular spot on the bench. He logged 813 minutes in total and started just six games. At 23, he needs to be playing regularly week in, week out. He remains a player still searching for his best position. The talent is evident, though. Musah possesses exceptional energy, presses intelligently, and enjoys driving forward into space with the ball at his feet. He carries top-tier potential, having progressed through Arsenal’s academy before breaking into senior football with Valencia at just 17. Milan’s €20 million outlay in 2023 underscores the belief in his ability. Yet consistency has eluded him.
Farke favored a double-pivot arrangement last season to shield the defense while giving his creatives more license. He desires a possession-based style that dominates the ball, a point he clarified to new recruit Harry Wilson. Musah works hard and can press, but his passing range is not expansive, and he lacks the creative spark or the progressive pass that a Farke midfield at the highest level typically demands. Ethan Ampadu and Anton Stach were the midfield standouts last year, with Ampadu even earning the club’s Player of the Season award. If Musah arrives, he would likely contend with Stach for a starting berth, a challenge that seems unlikely to be surmounted given his current form.
There is a broader issue at play. The 49ers’ ownership group has shown a clear appetite for targeting the American market. Brenden Aaronson remains a high-profile figure in this strategy, and Musah’s profile fits that approach. Leeds’ and West Ham’s interest reflects a perceived fit with a growing appetite for Americans in the Premier League, but the question remains whether Musah’s path to regular, high-level contribution is likely to accelerate soon. In summary, the deal holds potential, yet significant hurdles exist: proving sustained form, fitting into a defined tactical system, and navigating Milan’s willingness to sell at the right price—all while a US-centric ownership ethos adds another layer to the decision-making process.