Joel Piroe claim made at Leeds United as striker gamble readied for January
Carlton Palmer believes Joel Piroe cannot lead the line for Leeds United and reckons signing Dor Turgeman is a “gamble” worth taking.
The Whites have “officially approached” Maccabi Tel Aviv for the 21-year-old forward [Sport5] ahead of a potential £4.1 million January transfer.
However, with Joe Donnohue claiming the reports are “inflated,” Palmer told Football League World [5 December] that signing Turgeman is a calculated risk, with Piroe proving his inability to consistently find the back of the net for Leeds this season.
He said: “I think it could be a good signing, this. He’s a 21-year-old and young players are the way to go.
“Yes, there could be an argument about the standard that he is playing in and can he make that step up to the Championship? But he’s playing in the Europa League as well.
“Joel Piroe hasn’t really been able to play that classic number-nine role, and Mateo Joseph’s growing pains as a season starter perhaps indicate that it’s worth Leeds having a look at Turgeman.
“They have made an official approach and he’s having a good season so far this season. He’s doing well and it might be worth a gamble.”
Dor Turgeman would be a significant upgrade for Leeds United
Indeed, it would be a calculated risk to add the youthful Turgeman to a Leeds frontline already consisting of Mateo Joseph, but the Spaniard, alongside Piroe, still need to prove they can lead the line for the foreseeable future.
The Israeli international has been on fire this season, notching nine goals with four assists in 16 appearances across all competitions for Tel Aviv.
Piroe fired another blank for the Whites in the 1-0 loss against Blackburn Rovers last time out in the Championship – it is the fine margins that determine results at the top of the table, and Farke needs a recognised goalscorer in his ranks.
Therefore, strengthening the centre-forward position in January could be the difference between a long-awaited Premier League return and another year of chasing the top flight in the second tier of English football.
Leeds must get creative in the transfer market amid the tight PSR constraints afflicting EFL clubs, and while a player plying his trade in the Middle East may not be the most desirable prospect, Turgeman is also taking his impressive displays on the Europa League stage.
A 21-year-old in the form he is in will not stay out of the radar of Europe’s top sides for much longer, and Kinnear has the opportunity to secure the bargain of the season for the Whites if he acts fast – it is a low-risk, high-reward move.
In other Leeds United news, Derby County manager is wrong about what he’s said about Daniel Farke at the Whites.
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