Graham Smyth nervous after Leeds United stance on Jorgen Strand Larsen deal
Leeds United should be looking to reinforce their attack despite having Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha.
While Daniel Farke has brought the best out of Calvert-Lewin this season, his injury record at Everton is well known.
Lukas Nmecha has also suffered a few fitness issues at Elland Road in the current campaign, as the German national plays behind the Englishman in the pecking order.
Joel Piroe doesn’t seem to be in the West Yorkshire outfit’s plans this season, with Noah Okafor and Brenden Aaronson starting ahead of him up front, making the addition of a new number nine an evident requirement.
Leeds United have no other plans if Jorgen Strand Larsen deal falls through
If Leeds can’t sign Wolves striker Jorgen Strand Larsen, they won’t make a move for another number nine before the 2 February deadline, Graham Smyth says.
The YEP journalist revealed that the Elland Road hierarchy sees the Norway international’s availability as a market opportunity and aren’t necessarily going to sign a random striker in the coming days.
With Calvert-Lewin and Nmecha the only two options Farke trusts in the number nine position, a backup forward will definitely bolster the squad.
Speaking on the Inside Elland Road podcast on 28 January, Smyth said, “As we understand it, Leeds see this as a market opportunity, so they’re not just going to sign a random striker for the sake of signing a random striker if they don’t get Strand Larsen.”
The journalist added, “That would make me nervous. I have to say it would make me nervous if they came out of this window without bringing in a backup nine. It might be the case Nmecha could do it, and Leeds will have enough going forward even if Calvert-Lewin falls to an injury — but I would be nervous about that.”
Wolves expect another bid for Strand Larsen from Elland Road, but Crystal Palace are also now seriously considering making a move for the 25-year-old.
Daniel Farke has perfect alternative to Jorgen Strand Larsen
Leeds have also been linked with AZ Alkmaar striker Troy Parrott, and the Republic of Ireland international’s form warrants a return to the Premier League.
The 23-year-old has scored 10 goals in 15 league appearances this season, and his heroics for the Green Army, as the forward scored a hat-trick in the World Cup qualifiers against Hungary in November to keep their World Cup hopes alive.
Parrott would be available for £20million, half of Wolves’ £40m asking price for Strand Larsen, who has one Premier League goal in 21 appearances in the current campaign.
Fans in LS11 won’t believe anything until the Norwegian attacker walks through the doors at Elland Road before Deadline Day, and it remains to be seen whether that will happen.
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