Hull City, Aston Villa, QPR and Sunderland will all struggle to sign Jack Marriott but Leeds United have an opportunity to make a real statement.
Andrea Radrizzani may not be taxing pies, and he doesn’t sack a manager every few months, but the new Leeds United owner has much to do to win over the Elland Road faithful.
No one could question predecessor Massimo Cellino’s commitment to the club, but Radrizzani has been criticised in some quarters for failing to put his hand in his pocket. Leeds did spend around £15 million on a number of new signings in the summer, however the tendency to go for cheap imports over proven Championship talent has started to rankle with some.
So what an opportunity he has now to make a real statement of intent ahead of the second half of the league season, with links to Peterborough United’s goal-scoring sensation Jack Marriott intensifying by the day.
The Mirror reported that Leeds and Hull City are now leading the chase for the Football League’s most prolific marksman, who took his tally to 23 for the season already after netting twice in Peterborough’s 3-1 FA Cup win at Aston Villa on Saturday.
Peterborough chairman Darragh MacAnthony stated on Twitter, however, that Marriott would cost far more than his £3 million asking price. This comes after Director of Football Barry Fry told the Peterborough Telegraph that Posh would demand around £10 million for Marriott and the similarly in-demand Marcus Maddison.
Just ask any Hull City fan whether the much-derided Allams will stump up such a fee for the striker and you will receive a rather curt response. But Radrizzani seems to have the funds at his disposal to make a real splash in the transfer market.
And signing a player who fellow suitors Aston Villa, QPR and Sunderland have little chance of affording would make much of the Championship green with envy.
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