Craig Scott

Mon 6 January 2020 8:28, UK

We’re not even a week into the January transfer window and Leeds United are reportedly set to miss out on one of their key targets.

After Arsenal took the decision to recall Eddie Nketiah from his loan spell at Elland Road, Marcelo Bielsa has been left with only one out-and-out striker in his senior squad in Patrick Bamford.

It means that a replacement for Nketiah is required and Football Insider reported last month that director of football Victor Orta had been trying to persuade Liverpool into allowing Rhian Brewster to head to Leeds on loan for the second half of the season.

WalesOnline then reported last week that Leeds were still in the hunt to sign Brewster, 19, and posed a threat to Swansea in the race for his signature.

However now it seems as though the Whites have lost out to the Swans as The Athletic journalist Stuart James has claimed via his personal Twitter account that Brewster is set to have his loan move to South Wales confirmed today (Monday).

It is understood that a deal has already been agreed between Swansea and Liverpool but the plan was for the England Under-21 international to be involved in the FA Cup game against Everton on Sunday.

For Leeds, it means that Orta can cross one name off his shortlist for this month.

Brewster would have been a good replacement for Nketiah too as he is one of the most highly-rated young strikers who is breaking through at Liverpool.

He’s made three first-team appearances this term for the European champions and has been named on the bench for a number of other important games.

Leeds have been linked with other strikers to replace Nketiah but you get the feeling that Brewster was the one who was the most ‘like-for-like’ replacement.

It’s a blow to miss out on the Liverpool striker but surely someone will be brought in before the January transfer window slams shut.

In other Leeds United news, fans have been gushing about a transfer report that has linked a Championship striker to Elland Road.