Leeds United should perhaps consider a move for Ipswich Town striker David McGoldrick given his low asking price.
While Andrea Radrizzani will not be enjoying the backlash that appears to be coming from many Leeds fans following the unveiling of the club’s new badge, what may perhaps please him about the reaction is that it has probably provided some respite from the messages off disgruntled supporters who want a new striker before next week’s deadline.
Based on the business that they have done over the last few years, it would appear that Leeds have little intention of rivalling the big-spenders in the division in regards to strengthening their first-team.
It is a perfectly admirable strategy and would seemingly ensure that whatever happens on the pitch, the club’s finances will never fall anywhere near as far into the red as they did just over a decade ago.
That does perhaps mean that value has to be considered and it appears that signings made with a short-term view are something that Radrizzani and Victor Orta would prefer to avoid. However, their position in the Championship right now means that taking a short-term view for the final week of the window may not be a bad idea.
Thomas Christiansen’s side are 10th and on a poor run of form. While the strikers stepped up in their most recent game, the difficulty finding the back of the net has been one of the main reasons for their inability to win any of their last five, with one goal coming in the four games preceding the 4-3 defeat to Millwall.
So, while it may not be an option that captures the imagination by any means, and may actually prove as unpopular a suggestion as the new badge, perhaps Leeds should take note of the fact that, according to the Daily Mirror’s live transfer feed (24th January 2018; 15:19), Ipswich Town want £500,000 for David McGoldrick this month as he begins the final months of his contract at Portman Road.
McGoldrick is not going to win awards for golden boots and probably not going to contend in goal of the month competitions, but he has a huge amount of Championship experience – something many Leeds fans feel their attack needs.
The 30-year-old has scored six goals and contributed four assists this term and has played almost everywhere in the attacking third for the Tractor Boys.
That return would make him Leeds’ third highest goalscorer, while only Samuel Saiz in the Whites squad has provided more assists in the league. It is a decent record for a player who is available for a six-figure fee.
He is a real handful for opposition defenders when he is on form – he proved that when Ipswich travelled to Elland Road earlier in the season – and that may just give Christiansen an option he could do with during the final months of the campaign, so perhaps Leeds should consider making a bid.
It is not a pursuit that would leave the fans praising Radrizzani, but it could perhaps be a move that would tick a few boxes that may boost Leeds’ bid for a play-off place.
Few would have imagined how important Luke Ayling would become when he joined from Bristol City in 2016 – many of the supporters had not heard of the defender before his arrival – so perhaps taking a chance on McGoldrick may not be the worst idea that Leeds fans have heard this week.
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