One of the more-surprising transfer rumours ahead of January so far, is League One promotion hopefuls Wrexham being linked with a move for Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford.
While it comes as no surprise that Bamford may be one of the more-likely candidates to leave Leeds in January, not many will have predicted the identity of the two clubs supposedly looking at the striker.
Indeed, third-placed League One side Wrexham and Serie A side Genoa want to sign Bamford. He is set to enter the final 18 months of his £40k-a-week contract come January and Leeds could let him go.
Bamford has failed to start a single Championship game this season and while that may change over the course of the next week as Leeds take on Stoke and Derby, his lack of game time may see him depart.
Patrick Bamford fits Wrexham bill but there’s a “stumbling block”
Leigh Bromby says Bamford will want minutes, but makes the point that Daniel Farke will want his attitude and character around the squad. We spoke to Wrexham Insider writer Olly Dawes about a possible move.
Dawes told LeedsUnited.News that actually, £10m Bamford “fits the bill” with Wrexham needing a new striker despite boasting strikers including Ollie Palmer, Jack Marriott, Paul Mullin and Steven Fletcher.
“Wrexham certainly need a new striker with recent draws, coming as a result of failing to take chances. Phil Parkinson would’ve once called upon Mullin to kill these games off,” Dawes told LeedsUnited.News.
“He’s scored just once in League One. A striker who can make a big impact in League One and potentially score goals at Championship level will be the aim for Wrexham. Bamford fits that bill when at his best.”
Wrexham stumbling block in bid to sign Patrick Bamford outlined
While Bamford’s injuries will be a concern to any interested party, what will prove difficult for Wrexham is his very large wages. Wrexham are of course, owned by duo Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds.
But it is not as simple as throwing big money at something, there are wages caps and Financial Fairplay to consider. Dawes says Bamford’s wages would completely blow the rest of the squad out of the water.
“We would be concerned about his injury record and his lack of game time whilst the biggest stumbling block will be wages. Bamford’s current wages at Leeds would blow most of the Wrexham squad away.
“So Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds would have to dig deep to strike a deal. We would love to see a striker arrive in January but blowing the budget on Bamford may not be the best use of funds,” he said.
There is certainly a deal to be done if Leeds agree to pay the majority of Bamford’s wages. But, if Genoa are truly looking at Bamford, then surely the striker would prefer a move to the top tier of Italian football.
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