Patrick Bamford transfer: Leeds United stance certain as exit update emerges
Daniel Farke has a very difficult decision to make on Patrick Bamford’s future at Leeds United during the January transfer window.
The 31-year-old has been at Elland Road since the summer of 2018, making 200 appearances during that period while notching 60 goals and 22 assists, becoming a legendary figure for the Whites.
However, having made just 15 league starts over the last two seasons, his relationship with the fans has become much more stretched, leading to frustration over him taking a £30,000-a-week wage [Football League Paper].
While he has yet to register a single goal involvement this term, with Mateo Joseph and Joel Piroe preferred up front by Farke, he will be playing a vital role behind the scenes.
Having won promotion back to the Premier League under Marcelo Bielsa, Bamford’s knowledge and experiences will be key to Leeds achieving the same feat this season, though some are keen to push him out the exit doors this month.
Now, Leeds are unlikely to sanction his transfer, either on loan or permanently, before the window slams shut on 3 February.
Leeds United to keep Patrick Bamford after Joe Gelhardt exit update
According to Alex Crook, Joe Gelhardt began his medical earlier on Monday (13 January) ahead of a loan move to Hull City, set to join the Tigers until the end of the 2024/25 campaign.
While Wilfried Gnonto, Dan James and Manor Solomon are all capable of playing through the middle, Gelhardt’s soon-to-be-confirmed exit leaves only Piroe, Joseph and Bamford as natural strikers.
Piroe has been in fine form so far, firing home 10 goals in 26 appearances, but with Joseph struggling with two goals and three assists in 26 games, Bamford could be called upon later down the line.
Though he has sustained a new injury at Elland Road, the player’s experience could be vital if Farke is to lead the current squad back to the Premier League at the second time of asking.
Leeds certainly are in a brilliant position to achieve that feat, sitting atop the Championship table after 26 matches, but the relatively young team needs leaders to help them over the line when the going gets tough.
Bamford is exactly the kind of character who can provide that personality in the dressing room, putting his arm around the inexperienced and lifting the team when they need it most.
In other Leeds United news, one star was spotted joining in fan chats in the Elland Road carpark following the victory over Harrogate Town.
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