Patrick Bamford exit: Leeds United ‘warning’ after Blackburn boss comments
Carlton Palmer has warned Blackburn Rovers against a move for Leeds United forward Patrick Bamford.
The 31-year-old is on the fringes at Elland Road, leading to plenty of interest in the winter transfer window, particularly from Championship rivals Blackburn.
However, despite John Eustace confirming Bamford is on his list of targets at Ewood Park, Palmer urged Rovers via Football League World (15 January) to reconsider their stance.
He said: “I’m a big admirer of Patrick Bamford, but again, apparently he’s picked up an injury to his hamstring. He’s just not played enough football of late, and he’s picked up too many injuries, so I think that may force [Eustace’s] hand.
“Daniel Farke has always said he’d like to keep Patrick Bamford in the building, and Patrick is a tremendous player, he can score goals at Championship level and he’s proved he can score goals at Premier League level, it’s just the problem that he’s consistently not been fit over the last few years.
“So it may be a case of Leeds United keeping him in the building until the end of the season, but for me, looking at him, if I was a manager I wouldn’t be able to rely on him.
“He’s not going to come for short change, and he’s not a player that I’m going to be able to rely on week-in-week-out.”
Leeds United will struggle to offload Patrick Bamford
The Whites’ stance that Bamford will not be allowed to leave Elland Road midway through the season [Graham Smyth] is curious, given the circumstances.
Mateo Joseph and Joel Piroe are heavily favoured over the former England international, with Daniel Farke regularly rotating the pair.
Bamford has only managed 123 minutes of first-team football this term, with his most notable Championship appearance coming in his 25-minute cameo in the 1-1 draw against Preston North End on 14 December.
His last Leeds goal came in April 2024, and with the West Yorkshire outfit sitting atop the Championship table, it is unlikely Bamford will be called upon this season to provide the goals in the title push.
However, his lack of availability is a serious cause of concern and could scupper any potential deal to end his seven-year spell at Elland Road.
Blackburn are well in the hunt for a playoff finish in January and would massively benefit from a recognised goalscorer such as Bamford arriving at Ewood Park, providing he is fit and available.
While the goals have dried up lately, his track record in front of the goal in the past speaks for itself, and he is practically knocking down Farke’s door to secure a long-awaited exit.
It remains to be seen whether Bamford will still be a Leeds player when the window slams shut on 3 February, but the early signs suggest he may well stay put.
In other Leeds news, sources at the Whites react as a multi-million transfer bid is allegedly submitted.
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