Leeds United are reportedly considering a summer move for Jerry Mbakogu, but the uncertainty surrounding Lewis Grabban should alert the Whites.
The Yorkshire Evening Post reports that Mbakogu is likely to cost around £4 million and Leeds have first refusal on a deal, so it would certainly appear that there is something for the Whites fans to keep an eye on in the coming months.
But with the 25-year-old not exactly boasting the kind of goalscoring record that suggests that he could succeed where the likes of Caleb Ekuban and Jay-Roy Grot have so far failed, Leeds are surely making a major mistake if they decide to pursue a summer deal for the Nigerian-born forward.
Instead, Leeds should attempt to make a statement and see if they can capitalise on the apparent uncertainty that could surround Lewis Grabban’s future at the end of the season.
Bournemouth ace Grabban is currently on loan at Aston Villa and has done a brilliant job of keeping the Villans in the promotion race after scoring the goals that gave Sunderland a glimmer of hope of survival during the first-half of the campaign.
Villa may well seek another deal for next season, especially if they are unable to win the play-offs and get promoted, but Eddie Howe’s comments in January – which were reported by Sky Sports – suggested that the Cherries boss did not see the forward’s future at the Vitality Stadium, and he may well feel the same now despite his form for Villa.
If he is available once again in the summer therefore, and Villa do not seek another deal, then Leeds should undoubtedly make a bid before they even think about paying £4 million for Mbakogu.
Grabban has scored 20 goals in the league this term at a strike-rate considerably better than a goal every other game. Mbakogu meanwhile, boasts six goals in 23 games this season, and given that Grabban’s strikes came in the division that Leeds will find themselves in next year, it would be baffling if they did not throw their hat into the ring.
The Yorkshire Evening Post reported that Andrea Radrizzani is prepared to relax the wage restrictions at Leeds that have seen the Whites not pay a player more than £15,000-a-week, and that may enable the club to offer terms that appeal to Grabban, even if a permanent move is not an option.
Mbakogu’s lack of experience in England means that it is impossible to know whether he will prove an inspired signing or another disappointing addition to the Leeds squad. The Whites may have a much more difficult time trying to sign Grabban if they join the race, but his form suggests that Radrizzani is much less likely to have regrets if he manages to get the 30-year-old in on loan next season.
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