LEEDS United manager Daniel Farke insists he is comfortable with the club bringing in a 'project' striker in Jean-Matteo Bahoya on deadline day instead of a proven Premier League forward.

Former French youth international Bahoya, 21, has joined on an initial season-long loan from Eintracht Frankfurt.

Leeds paid a £1.7million loan fee with the option of a £19.7m transfer - plus up to £4.3m in add-ons.

Although not usually a massive advocate of business right at the end of transfer windows, Farke, whose side visit Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday, believes Leeds are investing in real potential in Bahoya.

Jean-Matteo Bahoya was a late-summer arrival at Leeds United.

placeholder image — Jean-Matteo Bahoya was a late-summer arrival at Leeds United.

The speedy frontman, who made 37 appearances for Frankfurt last season, scoring four goals, constitutes a 'smart piece of business' according to the Leeds chief, fully aware of the dangers of taking big risks on the final day of windows.

He said: "I have to say I don't like a deadline-day transfer. I don't think it's a good moment to make (big) signings.

"Because sometimes it's really like crazy signings without preparing and you don't know about the player and haven't spoken (a lot) about him.

"But for Jean-Matteo, it was not the case for example. He was on our list before and we've watched him a few weeks ago.

Leeds United boss Daniel Farke. Picture: Steve Riding.

"It's also no secret that I spoke through my connection with the sporting director of Eintracht Frankfurt about him and his character.

"I mentioned initially it's no secret that we tried perhaps in the beginning to go for a bit more experienced player who had delivered already on the top level and perhaps on Premier level. But in the end, if it was not to be, then we decided also like to go for this plan.

"This is also a good plan and and let's see.

"It's also a good piece of business because it's a loan and if it develops in the right direction we have then also the chance more or less to make it permanent. I think it's a very smart piece of business especially for deadline day."

Bahoya's arrival came on a day when Willy Gnonto returned to Italy to join Fiorentina on loan with an option to buy.

Farke added: "It was a tough decision, more or less the same with Joel Piroe, because we have so many memories with all of them.

"Deep inside, we knew it was the right decision because he (Gnonto) is a young player who is struggling for a few years right now to get regular minutes."