Leeds United must make signing a reliable striker their transfer priority this summer. While Georginio Rutter arrived for big bucks in January, at 20, he is regarded very much as one for the future.
Patrick Bamford has been crippled by injury problems in recent times. To an extent, the 29-year-old’s frequency on the treatment table is the key reason for United’s woes up front.
Since his return earlier this year, Bamford has looked out of sorts, scoring just once in seven outings before missing the 1-0 defeat to Chelsea last weekend with a leg problem. Leeds have also fired a blank in five of their last seven Premier League games - an indication of where their problems lie.
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Regardless of what division they are playing in, the Whites will need a striker. Either as a weapon to fight off another relegation fight or to ensure an instant promotion charge, Andrea Radrizzani and Co need to add goals.
LeedsLive has profiled five strikers who could solve United’s goalscoring problem this summer.
Callum Wilson
If Elland Road chiefs want a Premier League-proven striker, they could look no further than Newcastle United's number nine. At 31, the Magpies - given the ambitious Saudi-backed takeover - will likely be looking beyond the England international.
Wilson has struggled for goals since making England’s World Cup squad. Just one goal in 2023 has Toon supporters questioning whether he is the long-term answer on Tyneside.
However, that does not mean the former Bournemouth striker would not be a worthwhile addition to Leeds. His injury record may be a concern, but it is nowhere near as problematic as Bamford’s.
Andrea Belotti
The Italian has been a disaster since joining Jose Mourinho’s Roma last summer. Why then, should Leeds consider bringing him to Yorkshire?
Just four Serie A starts is hardly conducive to helping a striker break a barren spell. Three goals in seven Europa League opportunities paints a far brighter picture of what Belotti could deliver at Elland Road.
The 44-capped Italian bagged 112 times in 251 appearances for Torino before his Roma move. While his contract expires in June, Mourinho can trigger a two-year extension.
Moussa Dembele
Dembele first made his name in Celtic, winning two Scottish Premiership titles before moving to Lyon in 2018. A respectable 70 goals in 167 games have proven the Frenchman’s worth as a reliable goalscorer.
A surprise loan move to Atletico Madrid two years ago did not work out but Dembele has continued to shine since returning to France. Alexandre Lacazette has taken his place this season - fueling speculation about a possible exit. With his contract expiring in June, Dembele would also not cost Radrizzani a penny.
Mehdi Taremi
Taremi introduced himself to an English audience at the World Cup, scoring twice against the Three Lions in a 6-2 defeat. The Iranian was billed pre-match as one of his nation’s biggest threats - and he proved exactly that.
A capable, all-round striker, Taremi has led the line at Porto for almost three seasons and appears tailor-made for the Premier League. Just one year remaining on his contract means the Portuguese giants may be open to selling the 30-year-old at a discount.
Che Adams
Southampton, as a whole, have almost been as bad as Leeds this season. Just one point separates United from the managerless outfit, with two wins from their last three games lifting them off the foot of the table.
Adams, admittedly, is not the most prolific striker in world football but has a modest top-flight record. The 26-year-old has chipped in at St Mary’s - in a poor Saints side - for four seasons and, with better service from Leeds’ influential wide players, could offer a solution.
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