Your Leeds United headlines for Monday, August 15.
Brereton Diaz as Bamford backup
GiveMeSport are reporting that Leeds are eyeing up Blackburn Rovers forward Ben Brereton Dias as backup to Patrick Bamford. Injury woes continue to plague the Whites’ forward as he came off in the early stages against Southampton.
Lacking an adequate replacement almost cost Leeds their Premier League status last season and Elland Road chiefs will not want to risk fate twice. Signing a striker was the number one priority for many supporters when the transfer window opened.
Now, Brereton Diaz - who bagged 22 goals in the Championship - has reportedly been identified as a target. The Chile international only has one year remaining on his current contract.
Read more: Leeds United winners and losers: Rodrigo bags brace amid Patrick Bamford concern
More Adams talk
Che Adams continues to be linked with a move to Leeds, with The Athletic claiming his arrival at Elland Road is “a possibility”. The 26-year-old played 90 minutes for the Saints in the 2-2 draw at the weekend.
Speaking on his podcast, reporter Phil Hay suggested interest in Adam stretches as far back as 2020, saying “He’s (Adams) been linked. It’s not a secret that Leeds like him. Going back to 2020 when they wanted Jean-Kevin Augustin, it was Adams who they would have signed and thought they were going to do earlier in the month, only for Southampton to about-turn and decide to keep him.
“It’s a possibility. He looks to me like the type of player who falls into the category of players who might fit.”
‘Good money’ on striker
Sky Sports reporter Tim Thornton is confident Leeds will splash the cash on a new striker before the window slams shut. Just 18 days remain in the transfer market and Bamford’s withdrawal on Saturday fired a stark warning to Leeds’ top brass.
The striker hunt has plagued the agenda in West Yorkshire all summer but there are still no signs of a breakthrough. However, Thornton insists the club will secure a deal before September 1.
He said: “They were looking at options without moving them on before Raphinha left the club. So now it’s full steam ahead in terms of trying to get a striker in but it’s not the easiest position to fill.
“But yeah, I think they will spend good money on a striker, and they’ll be looking to get something done as quickly as they can.”
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