Brian Deane admits Leeds United transfer worry after what he said to Eddie Gray
Leeds United have had one massive transfer question hanging over their heads all season.
Leeds remain on course for promotion to the Premier League despite their buffer in the Championship’s top two being reduced to two points, and they lead Sheffield United at the summit on goal difference.
Daniel Farke’s side currently have a goal difference of 51, more than double the Blades, and have scored more than anyone else in English football, including runaway Premier League leaders Liverpool.
However, recent matches against West Brom, Portsmouth and QPR have seen Leeds drop points despite creating more than enough chances to win, seeing their five-point lead at the top cut down significantly.
Brian Deane left despondent at Leeds United transfer activity
Leeds’ two direct promotion rivals, Sheffield United and Burnley, were both very busy in the winter transfer window, strengthening their frontlines in particular.
| Player | Appearances | Starts | Goals | Assists |
| Joel Piroe | 38 | 28 | 15 | 6 |
| Patrick Bamford | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mateo Joseph | 36 | 14 | 3 | 3 |
The Peacocks, meanwhile, didn’t bring in a single new player and allowed Joe Gelhardt to leave on loan, and speaking on talkSPORT (22 March, 4:31 pm), Brian Deane worried that this could cost them up front.
Deane said: “I always say that you need different ways of scoring goals, and if I look at Leeds, I think ‘why haven’t you just gone out there and tried to get a real class centre-forward?’
“Who can do a bit of everything – somebody who can run in behind, a little bit of physicality – and obviously somebody who can score different types of goals.
“I remember I saw Eddie Gray, and I said, ‘Eddie, I still think that Leeds need to go out and buy a centre forward’ – they’ve got the young lad [Mateo Joseph] who’s a good player, they’ve got [Joel] Piroe.
“I don’t see him being a centre-forward, I don’t think they’ve got that physical presence, somebody who does a diving header from a yard out – they don’t have that.”
Leeds transfer priority clear regardless of promotion outcome
Leeds’ out-and-out striker options of Piroe, Joseph, and the frequently injured Patrick Bamford just won’t cut it at the top level, and it’s no surprise to see Deane wonder why this issue hasn’t been sorted sooner.
The Whites did launch a last-ditch attempt to bring in Southampton striker Cameron Archer on transfer Deadline Day last month, but their bids proved to be unsuccessful, and the 23-year-old stayed put.
Leeds have begun to identify potential signings in the final third if promotion is sealed, but their recent form – and profligacy in front of goal – makes that ‘if’ a significant one with eight games remaining.
It remains to be seen if Leeds can seal their Premier League return despite Deane’s fears, but with a huge summer coming up, a proven, prolific centre-forward must be at the top of their transfer wishlist.