Italian outlet La Nazione claim Leeds United and West Ham are not the only clubs considering a move for Venezia striker Joel Pohjanpalo this summer – with Bayer Leverkusen and Dinamo Zagreb also keen on the £3.5m striker.
Pohjanpalo, 28, starred for Serie B side Venezia last season. Joining them last summer, he scored an impressive 19 goals and laid on seven assists in 38 games. Venezia reached the play-offs – but failed to gain promotion to Serie A.
The 63-time Finland star is the subject of interest, now. Perhaps, unsurprisingly given his form – and Venezia failing to gain promotion. Italian outlet TMW say Leeds, West Ham, Blackburn and Norwich all want to sign Pohjanpalo.
He also has a bargain release clause in his contract, worth just £3.5m. But the latest report claims he has interest from European clubs, too. Europa League side Leverkusen, and Champions League side Zagreb, also want him.
Leverkusen and Zagreb also keen on Leeds target Joel Pohjanpalo
Pohjanpalo would be a bargain. A superb addition, for a fee far smaller than what Leeds would need to pay for a striker of similar quality – but playing in England. Tom Cannon, Joe Piroe and Cameron Archer will all be expensive.
So, signing the Fin would not only solve our huge need for a striker, but it would also save money – allowing us to spend cash on other players. But, a move to Leverkusen and indeed, Zagreb, will prove tempting to the Finnish ace.
But Leeds would be able to promise Pohjanpalo regular game time – something Leverkusen may not be able to do. West Ham, the same. But if he wants to move to Elland Road then there is no doubt – Leeds must bring him in.
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