By David Woods

21st Jan, 2020 | 11:56am

MOT View: Soton prepping late-window swoop for 22y/o forward may finally unlock major Leeds deal

Leeds United have been hanging valiantly onto the possibility that Southampton will let Che Adams leave this January.

Their manager Ralph Hasenhuttl has said no but that’s not put Leeds off and only yesterday Athletic journalist Phil Hay said that there must be more going on in the background than we’re aware of.

Southampton signing a new forward would change things radically and that could now be on the cards.

We’ve been desperate to hear about them targeting a new forward and we finally got the news when Football Insider reported that they’re in the race for QPR attacker Bright Osayi Samuel.

The report claims that they’re preparing a “late-window swoop”.

The 22-year-old is out of contract in the summer and QPR may need to cash in on the attacker in this window, although it’s said they’re keen on tying him down to a new deal.

He’s predominantly a winger but has been used as a striker by QPR this season and Leeds fans will know how dangerous he is after coming up against him in the 1-0 defeat on Saturday.

He’s scored four goals and added five assists this season and would give Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl another exciting attacking option, and one that could lead to him letting Adams go.

It would make a lot of sense. Hasenhuttl may have been digging in on Adams but saying to the board that if they want to move him on, he would need a replacement.

Phil Hay had reported earlier that Southampton were plotting to strengthen their attack and a new signing could really change the situation with Adams.

From what we’ve seen of Bright Osayi Samuel, he would offer a real point of differentiation to the Southampton attack, with both Danny Ings and Shane Long ahead of Adams.

It’s too early to get excited but this is potentially a very positive development for Leeds.

In other Leeds United news, Companies House docs show Radrizzani prepping for possible £30m loan