By Adefunmiloye Alani

10th Jan, 2022 | 9:55pm

Leeds United have registered interest in Lazio striker Vedat Muriqi

Leeds United want to sign Lazio striker Vedat Muriqi on loan during the January transfer window, according to Italian outlet LaLazioSiamoNoi.

The Elland Road outfit have made their move very recently, but it remains to be seen whether the Serie A outfit is open to a temporary deal as they are open to selling the Kosovo international, 27, after his poor start to life in Italy.

Hull City are also keen on Muriqi, but it appears that they have quickly moved on to other targets.

Really?

Muriqi joined Lazio from Fenerbahce in 2020, but he has only scored twice and assisted twice in 48 games across all competitions despite ending his last two seasons in Turkey with 32 league goals.

Given his recent form over the last 18 months, it seems ridiculous that Leeds will be keen to recruit him despite their injury woes and struggles in front of goal.

The Elland Road outfit could be without 12 players when they face West Ham this weekend, and they have only bagged 19 league goals in as many games in 2021-22.

Nevertheless, they really should be doing better than Muriqi.

Lazio boss Maurizio Sarri often prefers to deploy a false 9 rather than Kosovan when Ciro Immobile is unavailable, and that speaks volumes.

Marcelo Bielsa is known for often getting the best out of players, but could he work his magic with Muriqi?

The 6ft 4in striker proved in the Turkish top-flight that he knows where the back of the net is, and Leeds would have hit the jackpot should he reproduce those heroics at Elland Road if a move works out.

However, this does not look like a gamble that a club looking to stay up will be willing to take during the January transfer window.

In other Leeds United news, Whites chiefs recently jetted out of the UK for talks.