Going by the rumour mill, it seems as if Garry Monk wants to bolster his attacking options in the summer – but which from the recent links would be best for the Whites?
Ollie Watkins of Exeter City (L) scores their second goal
While Leeds United fans will be revelling in their club’s excellent form, which has seen them rise to fourth in the Championship table, some may be quietly concerned about where goals will come from if Chris Wood gets injured.
The New Zealand international has 24 Championship goals this season, 18 more than back-up strikers Souleymane Doukara and Marcus Antonsson combined, so it’s perhaps understandable that Whites boss Garry Monk will be looking for a new striker in the summer.
It seems the rumour mill agrees, and while players are routinely linked to Leeds United, recently, these three names in particular have been – of which, two are strikers. Which of these would be best suited for Leeds, however?
Ollie Watkins
The 21-year-old striker, currently at Exeter City, has been pulling up trees this season with 14 goals in 42 appearances in all competitions for the Grecians, and according to the Daily Star, garnered the interests of Aston Villa in January. A move didn’t materialise, and now the same paper is claiming that Monk is interested in the young forward.
The former Swansea City boss has already shown at Elland Road he will dip into the lower leagues, as proved by signing Oxford United’s Kemar Roofe in the summer of 2016, but it seems Watkins is a highly sought after man, so Leeds may need to act quick.
Watkins is also something different to what Leeds have as striking options, but if Leeds get promoted, it would resemble a huge risk having a 20-year-old kid as the club’s second striker.
Aston Villa’s Albert Adomah (L) in action with Barnsley’s Ryan Kent
Ryan Kent
Liverpool’s Ryan Kent – currently on loan at Barnsley – is the only non-striker to be heavily linked with a move to Elland Road, with the winger impressing at Oakwell this campaign.
The 20-year-old has two goals – one of which came against Leeds in Barnsley’s 3-2 win over the Whites earlier this season – and one assist to his name.
According to The Sun, Leeds and Bournemouth are both battling for his signature, while Liverpool allegedly want to give him a new deal. Given his age, signing Kent would be brilliant for Leeds, who could see many of his best years at Elland Road.
Martyn Waghorn
The signing which would make most sense, and would give Wood some serious competition up front. Waghorn, 27, has been in excellent form for Rangers this season, with 15 goals in 31 appearances for the Gers this campaign, while the powerful striker already has Championship experience with five different clubs.
The Daily Mail claims that Leeds are one of several English clubs vying for Waghorn’s signature, with Nottingham Forest – managed by former Rangers boss Mark Warburton, who brought Waghorn to Ibrox – and Sunderland – whom Waghorn begun his career with – both very interested.
Waghorn was never majorly prolific in the Championship, but is incredibly similar to Wood in both size, frame and footballing style, so if Wood was unavailable for whatever reason, signing Waghorn wouldn’t change Leeds’ approach. Given how he’s evolved as a player at Rangers, this would be a good move – though it could make Leeds predictable going forward.
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