Leeds United thought they had a clear path to sign Abubacarr Sedi Kinteh. Now, that path is getting crowded.
The 19-year-old Gambian defender has been on the club’s radar since earlier this month, when reports first indicated that the Yorkshire side had ‘gathered information’ on the Tromso center-back. A bid from German club 1.FC Koln fell through, giving Leeds a window. But according to Italian journalist Rudy Galetti, multiple Premier League clubs have now requested fresh updates on Kinteh’s availability, and concrete offers could follow soon.
A Rapid Rise From Senegal to Norway to the International Stage
Kinteh’s trajectory has been anything but ordinary. He was discovered at Mawade Wade, a partner academy in Senegal run by Norwegian club Tromso, and brought to Norway for a trial last year. After impressing with the reserve side, he made his first-team debut against Hamna in the Norwegian Cup.
That debut sparked serious attention. Tromso rejected a €5 million bid for Kinteh despite him having only three Eliteserien appearances to his name at that point. The club clearly saw what was coming: Kinteh was named young player of the month in May 2025, earned his first senior cap for Gambia in October, and has added nine more league appearances this season.
For a player who has yet to play a full season of top-flight football, that kind of investment represents a serious bet on potential.
Leeds Fighting on Multiple Fronts
For Leeds, the stakes are clear. After securing Premier League survival and building momentum, the club is looking to upgrade the squad this summer. Kinteh fits the profile of a high-upside, relatively low-cost addition who could develop into a starter. But the competition is growing, and not just from England.
According to earlier reports, Saudi Arabian side Al Ahli had been ‘on the verge’ of completing a deal for the Gambian. It remains unclear whether that deal is dead or simply stalled. What is clear is that Leeds cannot afford to wait.
The Whites are also reportedly in the mix for French midfielder Djaoui Cisse, suggesting a busy summer in West Yorkshire.
What Kinteh Brings
Standing at 6-foot-2, Kinteh combines physical strength with surprising composure on the ball. His ability to read the game developed quickly under Tromso’s coaching staff, and his international debut for Gambia at just 18 years old signals he can handle pressure.
Still, the leap from the Eliteserien to the Premier League is significant. Any club signing Kinteh would be betting on his ceiling, not his current production. That’s a gamble Leeds have taken before — and one they may have to take again if they want to keep pace in the race for a 19-year-old who, just two years ago, was playing in Senegal.
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