Why Nicky Hayen may have already green-lighted Leeds move for Zian Flemming
Leeds United may have new hope in their pursuit of Burnley's Zian Flemming.
Daniel Farke is understood to be keen on attacking reinforcements as he tries to push the Whites to the next level.
MOT Leeds News has already shared news of Leeds' interest in Flemming.
So far, though, there has been no concrete movement on that interest, with the LS11 side having their priorities elsewhere.
Leeds are trying to pull off a sensational swoop for goalkeeper James Trafford, then focus may switch to a forward as the window progresses.
Now, the door may have been left open for the Peacocks after Nicky Hayen's latest comments.
What did Nicky Hayen say about Leeds United target Zian Flemming's future?
Flemming is definitely a player that is on the Whites' radar, but whether they take their interest any further remains to be seen.
They may think that they have a chance to sign him now after the Clarets boss' admission on the player's future at Turf Moor.
In quotes reported by the Burnley Express on Saturday, he said: “We hope so [he stays].
“Zian is also someone like Tino (Florentino Luis). He’s working 100 per cent on the pitch. Zian is not a guy who’s going to say like: ‘I want to leave Burnley’. He’s working really hard.
“Of course he wants to take the next step in his career, but I think every player has a price. When the right price is paid by a Premier League club, for example, then he can go.”
There are two reasons why supporters should be encouraged. One is that the 27-year-old wants to further his career, and there is also the fact that his manager is basically saying that he can leave for the right price.
He does not want to play in the Championship if there is an option to leave, and the Lancashire side will sell if they get their valuation.
What would Flemming offer to Leeds?
Flemming would be something different for the Whites' forward line, and he has already proven that he can do it in the top flight.
He notched 11 goals in 29 matches in the division, which only Dominic Calvert-Lewin (14) bettered within the Leeds squad.
The Dutch striker averaged 2.69 shots, 1.06 shots on target, and 3.60 touches in the opposition box per 90 in his debut campaign at the elite level, per FotMob data.
He also helped out defensively, with 5.02 contributions per 90, which included 0.86 tackles, 1.67 recoveries and 1.88 clearances.
He may well thrive in a team with better quality players like the one that Farke has built, and they can be confident that a deal can be struck after Hayen's comments.