Active striker hunt now underway as Leeds United transfer news emerges
Leeds United are now actively pursuing deals to bring a new striker to Elland Road this summer after completing moves for Ethan Ampadu and Karl Darlow, according to journalist Beren Cross.
The journalist shared in a Q&A session on Leeds Live that as far as he understands, the club are now active in their targeting of a new striker, with the club also set to hold on to Patrick Bamford and Georginio Rutter.
Leeds have been linked with a move for Swansea City’s 19-goal striker Joel Piroe this summer after a report via Last Word On Sports [29 July] shared that the race for his signature has been reduced to just them and Southampton.
When asked in the Q&A [03 August, 16:06] if Leeds were active in their striker hunt, Cross said: “Yes, as I understand it, they are.”
Positive transfer news is always welcome
It has been widely reported that Leeds will retain the services of both Bamford and Rutter this season, but the club believe reinforcements are still necessary.
The Leeds strikers have proved this to be the correct decision as they each suffered knocks in the club’s pre-season friendly win against Hearts, with Farke revealing [via Leeds Live] that Bamford has a suspected hamstring injury, while Rutter has a separate muscle problem.
These injuries have made the chase for a new striker all the more crucial, with both having as-of-yet-undetermined return dates, which could force Daniel Farke’s side to begin the season with Joe Gelhardt or Mateo Joseph starting up top.
Piroe is not the only striker to be linked with a move to Elland Road this summer, with former Cardiff City loanee the subject of a race between his former club, Leeds and West Brom for his signature, according to the Daily Mail on 1 August.
This must be a new priority.
In other Leeds United news, journalist Phil Hay has tipped another Leeds player for an exit.