MOT View: Derby seem more likely to win reported race against Leeds to sign PL striker
Leeds United are in need of a new striker this month and have been linked with a number of players who are viewed as possible replacements for Eddie Nketiah.
One of those is Sheffield United striker Billy Sharp, who has reportedly emerged as a target for the Whites as they aim to seal promotion to the Premier League this season.
According to the Yorkshire Evening Post, the 33-year-old forward has been considered as someone who could be signed to bolster Marcelo Bielsa’s strikeforce in the second half of the season.
Sharp first left Elland Road four-and-a-half years ago and although he struggled in his stint at Leeds, he is still one of the most prolific Championship goalscorers in the last decade.
Stats by transfermarkt show that only Jordan Rhodes [107] scored more second-tier goals between 2009/10 and 2019/20 than Sharp [106].
Sharp is, admittedly, getting on a bit now and has only started one league game for Sheffield United since their promotion to the Premier League last season.
However he remains as someone who could be key for Leeds in the second half of this campaign as they aim to return to the top-flight – especially as Patrick Bamford is the only out-and-out striker in Bielsa’s senior squad as it stands.
Unfortunately, it looks as though Leeds are likely to miss out on Sharp as Derby County pose a major threat to their interest.
The Sun reported via their live transfer blog on Sunday afternoon Derby want to sign Sharp on loan for the rest of the season and could hold an advantage over Leeds in their race to sign the Blades’ veteran striker.
It is understood that the Rams will offer Sharp a spot in their starting line-up and based on how Bamford has the No 9 spot nailed down at Elland Road, that is something that Leeds cannot guarantee to their former player.
Sharp’s name is likely going to be one that’ll be crossed off Bielsa and Victor Orta’s shortlist over the coming weeks if Derby’s interest is serious.
There’s no way that Leeds will beat the Midlands club to landing the 33-year-old if he is offered a starting spot at Pride Park.
In other Leeds United news, Phil Hay says the Whites are on the verge of wrapping up their first signing of January.