Leeds United want a striker in this transfer window, but are they going to get one?
Every day a report emerges that seems to hamper United’s chances of landing a new forward.
Whether it’s Ralph Hasenhuttl saying that Che Adams won’t be leaving or Beren Cross saying that Dwight Gayle would cost Leeds £20m, they’ve had setback after setback in their pursuit of a striker, and unfortunately, they’ve just been handed another.
What’s the story?
Alongside Gayle and Adams, another striker that Leeds United have been linked with is Cauley Woodrow.
The Barnsley man has netted nine goals in 20 appearances this term, and as you’d expect this type of goal return has seen a number of clubs take an interest in him.
The Daily Mirror (January 9, page 56) have stated that Bristol City, Nottingham Forest and Leeds are all interested in the former Fulham man, but if they want him they’ll have to cough up the cash as the report also states that they would have to pay £7m for his services.
Steer well clear
Signing Woodrow seemed like a bit of a gamble when he was first linked due to the fact that he has a worse finishing record than Patrick Bamford.
You could have dismissed this fact if he’d have been available on the cheap, but £7m isn’t a bargain by any means.
Leeds’ FFP situation means they can’t spend all that much this month, and if they were to splash £7m on a player it’d have to be someone who is a guaranteed improvement on what they already have, and Woodrow simply doesn’t fit the bill.
He’s scored at a decent rate this term and is top of Barnsley’s scoring charts, but it’s the first time he’s ever shown any semblance of being a good striker at this level. His best goal tally in a Championship season before this was five for Burton back in 2016/17.
The 25-year-old isn’t the answer to United’s striker puzzle, and spending the fee that’s been touted on him would be nothing short of foolish.
Meanwhile, One of Leeds’ transfer targets could be a perfect Pablo Hernandez replacement.