Patrick Bamford exit: Leeds escape route possible after Blackburn boss admission
Patrick Bamford has been offered a potential escape route out of Leeds United after John Eustace’s admission at Blackburn Rovers.
The Whites have no intention of allowing Bamford to depart Elland Road this month [Graham Smyth], but the stance hasn’t stopped many clubs, including Championship rivals Blackburn, from declaring their interest in his services.
Eustace stoked the flames of an impending Leeds exit for Bamford as the Blackburn boss confirmed via the Lancashire Telegraph (14 January) that he is indeed among the list of targets at Ewood Park.
He said: “Patrick is a very good player. I played with him at Derby, a long time ago when he started out, he’s a consistent performer at this level, he plays for a huge club in Leeds.
“But there will be lots of names thrown towards me and I’ll just say they’re good players. You’d have to ask the club. He’s a player on a long list that we have looked at and we’ll have to see.”
Leeds United should sell Patrick Bamford to Blackburn Rovers
The Championship campaign is a long and gruelling endeavour, and Daniel Farke is wise to head into the business end of the season with a large squad.
However, in the case of Bamford, it seems implausible to force the 31-year-old to remain put at Elland Road, considering his lack of game time thus far this season.
Bamford has accumulated a measly 123 minutes of Championship football this season, with his 25-minute cameo during the 1-1 draw against Preston North End on 14 December his most notable impact to date.
From his 10 substitute appearances, he has failed to register a single goal contribution as striker duo Mateo Joseph and Joel Piroe freeze him out of the first-team frame.
The former England international is knocking the door down to be granted an exit this month, and Farke should be willing to open the door for him.
Clearly he is no longer a valued member of the squad, and his services are no longer required, so why delay the inevitable?
This may be the last opportunity for Farke to recoup a nominal fee for a forward with no future in West Yorkshire – thank Bamford for his contributions at Elland Road and get the deal done.
In other Leeds news, the Whites are to receive clarity from Jurgen Klopp after a bombshell Red Bull claim.
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