By Craig Scott

1st Sep, 2022 | 9:40am

Kai Wagner waits for call from Leeds United on deadline day as forward and left-back lined up

Philadelphia Union left-back Kai Wagner is waiting by the phone for a call from Leeds United on deadline day, according to the Daily Mail.

The newspaper reported via their print edition on Thursday (1 September, page 74) that Leeds are in the hunt for a new left-back and a new forward before the 11pm deadline.

It is understood that while Wagner, 25, is keen to see if Leeds will make a last-gasp move for him, Victor Orta’s priority is a new forward and PSV’s Cody Gakpo and Rangers’ Ryan Kent are options.

Last-gasp signing?

With the transfer window closing on Thursday night, it would be criminal if Leeds fail to add to their squad.

It’s been clear for months – maybe even well over a year – that Leeds need an extra striker to add to the squad and that the left-back situation is still unresolved.

Yes, Junior Firpo came in from Barcelona last year to replace Ezgjan Alioski as he left. But Firpo’s struggled with his form and has also shown he’s very unreliable in regards to injuries.

Pascal Struijk’s strong start to the season at left-back has probably softened the need for additions in that area of the pitch but Struijk is a centre-back and probably wants to be playing where he feels he’s best.

Also, he doesn’t offer much going forward, which is fair enough considering he’s a centre-half by trade. But Wagner is a left-back who offers serious attacking threat and Leeds would be silly to ignore a potential bargain from the MLS.

The German left-back could be a back-up option for Firpo and play whenever the ex-Barca man is injured or out-of-form – which is fairly often.

He shouldn’t cost much either but Philadelphia are gunning for the MLS title in the States and might not be ready to sell him until the winter when their season ends.

In other Leeds United news, we’ve been exclusively told how a Radrizzani agreement is blocking the 49ers from investing in the club.