Orlando City striker Cyle Larin has once again been linked with a move to England with Leeds United reportedly tracking the one-time Forest target.
Pierre-Michel Lasogga’s brilliant debut against Burton Albion on Saturday may suggest that Leeds United have found the ideal replacement for Chris Wood. The German striker scored two clinical goals, setting the Whites on their way to a 5-0 thrashing.
The problem, however, is that Lasogga is only on loan from Bundesliga side Hamburg, who are continuing to contribute a huge portion of his wages. Therefore, Leeds may find themselves needing to find a more permanent, long-term solution with Caleb Ekuban the only other out-and-out striker currently on the club’s books.
Perhaps this explains why the Sun on Sunday (10th September, page 60) is reporting that Leeds will consider paying £2 million for Orlando City striker Cyle Larin. The Canada international is hardly a household name but, at 22, he is one of the hottest attacking prospects across the Atlantic.
And with good reason. Larin broke the record for most goals scored by a ‘Rookie’ in the MLS in his prolific debut season, hitting the back of the net 17 times in 27 games in 2015.
Though his last two seasons haven’t been quite as prolific, a tally of 25 goals in 56 games is a more than respectable number for a player who is yet to realise his full potential. Excellent form in the MLS is hardly proof that a player will thrive in England but Larin, a young, promising and instinctive striker, is worth the risk.
The question, however, is whether Leeds will have competition. The Sun reported in March that Nottingham Forest were interested and director of football Frank MacParland’s eye for an exciting young talent means it would be no surprise if they were still tracking Larin’s progress.
Especially when you consider that only one of Forest’s strikers, Daryl Murphy has hit the net this season with manager Mark Warburton seemingly wary about giving chances to youngsters Ben Brereton and Jason Cummings.
Another goalscorer wouldn’t go amiss at Forest but, as it stands, it appears Leeds are leading the chase.
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