Leeds United Opinion: Ostersund duo Dino Islamovic and Hosam Aiesh could fire the Whites to promotion next term
According to Leeds Live, Leeds United have been linked with a sensational double swoop for Ostersund FK duo Dino Islamovic and Hosam Aiesh, with reports claiming that Marcelo Bielsa is keen to bolster his attacking ranks ahead of the upcoming season.
Leeds continue to be linked with the latest foreign talents, despite missing out on promotion to the Premier League and Leeds Live understands the Whites had scouts in attendance to watch the aforementioned duo in Ostersund’s 1-1 draw with GIF Sundsvall this weekend.
The same report claims that Leeds are in the market for a new striker to solve their goalscoring woes, whilst a new versatile attacking midfielder is also on Bielsa’s wishlist for the summer.
Dino Islamovic and Hosam Aiesh might be completely unknown entities to the fans at Elland Road but the duo has been making plenty of noise back in the Swedish top-flight. Islamovic, who is a former U-21 international for Sweden, is yet to represent his nation at the senior international level but he has scored 4 goals in 12 Allsvenskan outings for Ostersund in the ongoing season.
Aiesh, on the other hand, is highly-rated back in his homeland and earned his first senior international cap for Sweden back in January in a friendly against Finland, meaning that his stocks are currently soaring high.
A versatile right-footed attacker, who is capable of playing out wide on either flank and also as a centre-forward up front, the 24-year-old has scored once and assisted a further couple of goals in 8 appearances so far this season.
On the contrary, Islamovic is more of an out-and-out centre-forward by trade and Leeds should prioritise signing him ahead of Hosam Aiesh, given their lack of a dominant presence in front of goal. That’s not to say the Whites shouldn’t sign Aiesh, though, as he is also a highly-rated and versatile attacker and his international breakthrough for Sweden is indicative of his talent and potential.
Islamovic started his career in his homeland with heavyweights Malmo before joining Fulham at the youth level, although he failed to make the grade and was eventually released back in 2014. The 25-year-old had a stint at Groningen in the Eredivisie, where he won the Dutch Cup in the 2014-15 season, before returning back to Sweden with second-tier outfit Trelleborgs.
The former Swedish youth international joined Ostersund back in January 2018 and made an immediate impact in the Swedish Allsvenskan. He boasts of a good goalscoring record for Ostersund, having netted 15 goals in 40 appearances across all competitions for the Swedish outfit till date.
Standing at 6ft. 3 inches with a towering and well-built frame, Islamovic somewhat resembles his compatriot Zlatan Ibrahimovic in his build and style of play. A powerful right-footed striker, Islamovic excels with his hold up play and physicality in front of goal, whilst also possessing the aerial ability to pose a genuine threat inside the box.
It is not difficult to see why Leeds have been credited with an interest in the towering Swedish centre-forward. Kemar Roofe topped the scoring charts at Elland Road last season with 15 but that was not enough to propel the Whites back to the Premier League for the first time in 15 years, and it is a no-brainer that they need to bring in a natural No.9 this summer to spearhead their surge for promotion next term.
Hence, it would be fair to say that the acquisition of the gigantic Islamovic could add another dimension and a bit more clinical edge to Marcelo Bielsa’s attack.
Meanwhile, someone like Hosam Aiesh could prove to be a like-for-like replacement for the likes of Izzy Brown and Jack Harrison, with both the loanees returning to their parent clubs Chelsea and Man City respectively.
Samuel Saiz’s future at Elland Road remains very much up in the air following his lacklustre loan spell at Getafe and Aiesh could possibly add a bit more creativity to the ranks, whilst also increasing competition for places.
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There is always an element of risk involved in signing little-known players from the lesser leagues of Europe, but if Leeds have scouted the Ostersund duo extensively and are confident that they can make the step up to the Championship, the Yorkshire giants should go forward with the deal.
