Patrick Bamford may have just played himself back into contention for a regular starting spot at Leeds United.
Bamford was handed his first start of the season under Daniel Farke in Leeds’ 3-0 New Year’s Day win over Birmingham City, finding the back of the net for the first time since April.
In the 21 league matches prior to that, Georginio Rutter and Joel Piroe had very much been Leeds’ first choice front two, and so with all three of those in the squad, you would think Farke is pretty well stocked in the striking department.
However, according to the Sun, Leeds are keen on strengthening their forward line this month and are aware that Bournemouth have now made Kieffer Moore available for transfer.
It is said that Leeds’ next Championship opponents Cardiff City are the side ‘pushing hardest’ at this stage, but the Whites are on alert regarding his situation.
Moore not the striker Leeds need
As per the report, it is anticipated that Moore will be departing the South Coast before the end of January, but a loan deal is more likely than a sale due to his £40,000 a week wages.
Moore is definitely a good striker at this level having scored four goals in as many appearances during Bournemouth’s promotion season in 2021/22, which prompted former manager Scott Parker to label him as ‘unplayable’.
However, Moore is not the type of striker Leeds need, with his style not really fitting into the way Farke wants to play at Elland Road.
If, like against Birmingham, Rutter at number 10 is the way Leeds are going to go for the rest of the season, then someone who can run in behind like Bamford is a better fit.
With that in mind, if a striker is indeed on the agenda in January, then he needs to be someone of a similar profile, but an upgrade on Bamford. Moore is not that.
Receive a digest of our best Leeds content each week direct to your mailbox
