Leeds can send Championship statement with signing of 24-year-old as links re-emerge – opinion

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Leeds United have once again been linked with a move for Coventry City striker Viktor Gyokeres.

According to Portuguese outlet Record, Leeds remain in the race for Gyokeres despite their relegation but will be rivalled by a number of Premier League clubs and Sporting Club de Portugal.

Clearly Leeds face an enormous task in pipping the competition to the 24-year-old’s signature, but funds should be available once, as expected, players begin to depart for big money.

With last season’s leading scorer Rodrigo likely to be one of them, Leeds will be in the market for a new number nine.

Based on evidence from the last two years, there isn’t anyone better at this level than Gyokeres, having netted 21 goals and provided 12 assists during the 2022/23 campaign.

Leeds can send statement with striker signing

Gyokeres has just 12 months left to run on his deal at Coventry and could be available for as little as £11 million, which would be a bargain.

However, at that price, clubs in the Premier League will no doubt be circling and as such, Leeds will need some suitable alternatives, and there are plenty about.

Swansea City’s Joel Piroe would be another statement signing and has been linked with a move away this summer after netting 19 goals last term.

Piroe is a year younger than Gyokeres and has also been on fire in front of goal in the last couple of years, scoring 22 times in his debut season at Swansea in 2021/22.

With his manager Russell Martin seemingly on the way to Southampton, he may well end up following him there but a third potential option Leeds must consider is Cameron Archer.

Archer has had two half-season spells on loan in the Championship in each of the previous couple of seasons, proving himself to be a natural in front of goal despite being just 21.

After losing in the play-offs at Middlesbrough last month, Archer will return to his parent club Aston Villa for pre-season, but given they qualified for Europe ahead of next season, they could go big in the market this summer.

As such, Leeds could chance their arm into tempting Villa to sell permanently, which would be a terrific signing.

If Leeds are able to add any of these three to their attacking options, it would be a significant piece of a promotion jigsaw.