Leeds handed behind-the-scenes encouragement as Bielsa green lights 23y/o swoop – report
Leeds United have been handed behind-the-scenes encouragement in their pursuit of Southampton striker Che Adams, according to Football Insider.
The news outlet claims that Marcelo Bielsa has given the green light for the club to make a swoop to sign the 23-year-old striker on loan this month but was handed a blow on Friday.
Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl said in a press conference, as quoted by the Daily Echo, that Adams would not be allowed to leave St Mary’s this month due to a shortage of attacking players.
However it is understood that Leeds are undeterred in their hunt to sign the former Birmingham striker and have now moved into pole position to secure his signature before the end of the month.
Adams joined Southampton for £15million in the summer but since his switch from Birmingham he has failed to register a single goal.
Hasenhuttl started the goal-shy forward on Saturday in the Saints’ 2-0 win against Huddersfield and that led to Leeds fans on Twitter from guessing that their interest was over.
It could be that Hasenhuttl was simply trying to dampen speculation surrounding the striker while also putting him in the shop window for teams like Leeds to have a proper look at him on Saturday.
The transfer window has only just opened though and a lot can happen between now and the end of the month.
But Adams’ link to Elland Road is just something that will not go away and this could be the case until February.
In other Leeds United news, Ezgjan Alioski has aimed a dig at Manchester United.