The Leeds United man cost a cool £1.2 million last summer.
Marcus Antonsson has endured a difficult first 12 months at Leeds United.
The former Kalmar striker joined for £1.2 million last summer (Yorkshire Evening Post) but has failed to set the Championship alight in what has been a tough year.
The 26-year-old managed only one Championship goal this past season, and was frozen out of the first-team squad by then-manager Garry Monk from January onwards, the Swede playing nine minutes of league football in 2017.
But Antonsson could get a second chance at Leeds following Monk’s departure last month, but if he does not impress the 38-year-old’s successor then he will, to the disappointment of many United fans, most probably leave the Elland Road club.
This summer will make or break Antonsson’s Leeds career.
A lot of supporters would be delighted to see him stay and given more opportunities in which to showcase his talents, having shown glimpses of his potential in the first half of last season.
He is well thought of on the terraces, but a question mark remains over his capacity to score goals in England’s second tier. One goal in 578 minutes of Championship football is not a great return and he must convince Monk’s replacement that he can do the business.
If the next manager fails to see any promise in him then the Whites could offer him to Swedish clubs.
He had netted 25 goals in 47 games for Kalmar, so his stock is probably still high enough in his homeland that Leeds could recoup most of the £2 million fee spent on him and put it toward a proven Championship marksman to compete with Chris Wood.
There is a school of thought among United fans that Antonsson can be quite effective if given chances, but he has to first earn the right to remain at the club and a solid pre-season showing would go a long way to making that happen.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
