Leeds United must ensure that they address the lack of strength in depth that almost cost the Whites their Premier League place this season. Injuries to key players left Marcelo Bielsa, and then Jesse Marsch, without a group of players capable of going toe-to-toe with the best sides in the country.
The extended absence of Patrick Bamford was perhaps the best example of that as Dan James and Rodrigo struggled to deputise effectively. Joe Gelhardt was the best of the other options but his age and lack of experience left both managers reluctant to overuse him.
According to The Athletic, Leeds have been working on signing a centre forward from another Premier League side but the identity of that striker is unknown. HITC have speculated that Che Adams is the most realistic option as supporters continue to guess who it could be.
Read more: Leeds United transfer links so far as Victor Orta eyes summer of strengthening
We have compiled a list of five other Premier League strikers that the Whites are potentially pursuing.
Kelechi Iheanacho
Leeds could certainly do worse than enquire about the availability of Kelechi Iheanacho this summer. The Nigeria international is third on the list of centre forwards at Leicester behind the evergreen Jamie Vardy and his more youthful back-up Patson Daka.
Brendan Rodgers has made no secret of his desire for a ‘shake up’ of the squad at King Power Stadium this summer and, for that to be achieved, the Foxes will need outgoings. Iheanacho could be sold in the knowledge that they will make anywhere between £20m and £40m for the ex-Manchester City striker.
In the last two seasons, he has averaged a goal or assist every 118 minutes in the Premier League which is the kind of firepower and creativity Leeds lacked without Bamford this season. Iheanacho has done his best work at Leicester in a two-man strike force which would suit the formation Marsch favours.
Danny Ings
Another striker who perhaps isn’t getting as much action as he would hope for is Danny Ings. The Aston Villa frontman has fallen behind Ollie Watkins in the pecking order and might be interested in a fresh opportunity elsewhere.
In the last 10 games of the season, he was given an average of 38 minutes and 12 seconds per game which could indicate that Steven Gerrard doesn’t view him as his first-choice striker. Even in a season where he didn’t play as much as he would’ve liked, Ings still managed seven goals and six assists.
The only question mark Leeds might have over a potential signing of the 29-year-old is his injury record. Marsch, Victor Orta and everyone else involved won’t want another Bamford-like situation where they have a striker who isn’t fit for large parts of the season.
Michy Batshuayi
When discussing out-of-favour Premier League strikers, Michy Batshuayi might be the best example. He has made just 48 league appearances for Chelsea, averaging 17 minutes per games, since joining in July 2016.
There have been loan spells at Dortmund, Valencia, Crystal Palace and Besiktas but the Belgium international might want a new permanent home this summer. Given his place in the squad and the fact there is just one year left on his contract, he could be available at a cut price in the next few months. There might be another Chelsea on the Leeds radar though…
Armando Broja
Armando Broja proved this season that he was more ready to make the step up to the Premier League after joining Southampton on a season-long loan. His form tailed off somewhat in the second half of the season but he showed before Christmas that he has exactly what it takes to score goals at the top level.
One of those goals came in Leeds’ 1-0 defeat at St Mary’s as he emphatically finished off a swift counter attack. Because of what he showed on the South coast, Thomas Tuchel might want the 12-time Albania international back in the squad at Chelsea for next season, especially with the disappointment of Romelu Lukaku’s return to Stamford Bridge.
Although, if Broja isn’t directly part of the first-team plans, he may well look for a move and Leeds would be well-placed to take advantage of his potential desire to leave.
Chris Wood
Finally, a bit of a curve ball on the list. It wouldn’t necessarily be a star-studded transfer or one that supporters would choose to pursue but the return of Chris Wood to Elland Road might provide a decent option.
His January move to Newcastle hasn’t worked out and they may look to move him on as Eddie Howe hopes to add another striker to his squad this summer. If that was the case, the Magpies probably wouldn’t be too worried about making a loss on the £25m investment they made a few months ago.
Regardless of his struggles on Tyneside, Wood is a guaranteed source of goals in the Premier League and knows Leeds better than most. His exit back in 2017 might still annoy Whites supporters but there is no better way to rebuild a relationship in football than by scoring goals and the New Zealand international knows exactly how to do that.
