Chris Wood is not an easy man to replace for Leeds United but Preston’s Jordan Hugill could do a better job than most.
You only have to look at the prices commanded by Chris Wood and Britt Assombalonga to realise that strikers are a valuable commodity in the modern-day market.
And, with just over a week to go before the window slams shut, values are likely to increase as club’s attempt to hold onto their prized assets. Therefore, any offers for Preston North End talisman Jordan Hugill are likely to be met with short shrift unless they are ‘too good to refuse’.
There has been no shortage of interest in the Middlesbrough-born frontman this summer, the Northern Echo claiming that Sunderland boss Simon Grayson had identified him as a primary target. However, with James Vaughan and Lewis Grabban arriving at the Stadium of Light on affordable deals, you wonder whether Hugill is out of The Black Cats’ price range.
Yet, with £15 million burning a hole in Leeds’ pocket following Chris Wood’s protracted move to Burnley, as reported by the BBC, Thomas Christiansen’s side may be one of the few clubs capable of meeting Preston’s valuation.
Career on the up
The report claimed two weeks ago that the Lilywhites would demand around £4 million for Hugill, an old-fashioned centre-forward who netted a career-best 12 league goals last season. However, with so little time to find a suitable replacement, it would be little surprise if Preston were now to demand a few million more.
Though this should not put Leeds off. According to the Daily Star, they have had a bid of £5.5 million for Middlesbrough targetman Rudy Gestede rejected, while Jordan Rhodes and former player Ross McCormack have also been identified as possible replacements for Wood.
However, the aforementioned trio were all comfortably overshadowed by Hugill last season. His career is on the up while Rhodes and McCormack’s best days appear to be behind them.
Though Leeds are yet to be linked with Hugill, he is arguably one of the best options available to them.
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