Could Sam Vokes help Leeds in reported Britt Assombalonga chase?

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Leeds United are one of the sides that have been linked with an ambitious move for Britt Assombalonga this summer.

With Leeds only genuinely threatening on two occasions to challenge for promotion to the Premier League since they returned to the second tier under Simon Grayson, it would be easy to think that the Whites have rarely managed to get the right deals in the transfer market since they were relegated from the top flight in 2004.

However, while there have been some very questionable signings over the years, a look at all of Leeds’ squads show that there have been a number of players who now ply their trade at the highest level. The likes of Fabian Delph and James Milner came through the ranks at Elland Road, while players such as Ross Barkley are amongst those to enjoy loan spells with the club earlier in their careers.

Those loan spells often failed to provide hints regarding the future careers that some of those underwhelming signings would go on to enjoy. And while Barkley and Jack Butland are considered the poster boys for disappointing loan acquisitions, Sam Vokes is another player who simply could not make the desired impact during a brief stint at Elland Road.

Signed from Wolves in 2009, Vokes struggled to make much of an impression as he scored just one goal in eight League One appearances for the club. He has certainly been able to put any disappointment from that spell behind him though, having helped Burnley go from the second tier to gearing up for European football next season.

He may not have caught the eye during his time with Leeds, but perhaps he may be about help Marcelo Bielsa land one of his reported striker targets.

According to a recent report from The Northern Echo, Leeds are one of the sides interested in signing Britt Assombalonga this summer less than a year after he moved to Middlesbrough from Nottingham Forest.

While The Northern Echo hints that Assombalonga could be sold by Boro this summer, it seems incredibly unlikely that Tony Pulis will be willing to let the 25-year-old leave without a replacement identified.

And according to another report from The Northern Echo, that replacement may well prove to be Vokes, with Pulis keen to bring the Clarets star to the Riverside Stadium this summer, potentially paving the way for the £15 million-rated Assombalonga to potentially leave.

It remains to be seen however, whether Leeds will now decide whether to take advantage of the path that their former loanee may be about to clear and meet Assombalonga’s asking price in what would be one of their most expensive deals ever.