Derby County striker Chris Martin has now been linked with Championship promotion rivals Leeds United, which could have ramifications at Elland Road.
Chris Martin has fallen out of favour at Derby County and the seemingly impending arrival of Cameron Jerome could see the Scottish striker leave the promotion-chasing Rams this month.
But he will not struggle to find a club willing to hand him a chance. Sky Sports stated on Monday that Leeds United are keen to take Martin on loan for the rest of the season.
And it is not difficult to understand why. Martin may have scored just once this season but he is a proven Championship hit man who, unlike any of the forwards in Leeds’ attack, has done it at this level before. He was Derby’s top scorer for three straight seasons between 2013 and 2016 after all.
A deal will be far from easy, with Derby seemingly unwilling to let Martin leave for a potential promotion rival. But if Leeds do get their hands on the strapping centre-forward, they will be signing a player who would immediately improve their starting XI, and could leave Pierre-Michel Lasogga gathering cobwebs on the bench.
After a bright start to life at Elland Road, the Hamburg loanee’s lethargic performances and run of one goal in nine games has seen him become a scapegoat for some supporters. The chances of Leeds signing Lasogga permanently at the end of this season appear to have declined considerably with his output drying up.
And with Pawel Cibicki taking his place in the starting XI in recent weeks, and Kemar Roofe offering a more mobile threat in attack, Lasogga should be worried by the potential arrival of Martin.
He could soon find himself as far down as fourth choice at Leeds; possibly fifth if Caleb Ekuban adds goals to his game.
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