Leeds United have been linked with signing the Premier League man, but other options are available.
Reports from The Northern Echo last week indicated that Leeds United were in the hunt to sign Middlesbrough striker David Nugent.
But Leeds boss Garry Monk would be mad to take him and ignore the other centre-forwards who could be available in the January transfer window.
Nugent has proven himself a quality talent in the Championship down the years, but he is too similar to Chris Wood. Monk needs a plan-b – not a lesser version of his plan-a and that is pretty much what the 30-year-old offers.
He netted eight Championship goals for Boro last season and six of them were scored from in and around the six-yard box; not that there is anything wrong with that but, as mentioned, Wood already fills that poacher role to an extent.
Leeds could do with signing a striker who can find the net in ways which the New Zealand international can’t, whether it’s playing on the shoulder of centre-backs and slotting one-on-ones or making goals from absolutely nothing. Nugent won’t do that.
Two lads who might is Boro hitman Jordan Rhodes and Brentford’s Scott Hogan, with the duo linked with moves away in January. One of those would really challenge Wood for his number nine shirt, but whether either are realistic signings for United is another thing.
Nevertheless, there are plenty of other more affordable hitmen who Monk could and definitely should sign. Nugent is the answer to a question which isn’t holding Leeds back.
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