Derby County and Blackburn Rovers now join Leeds United in the race to sign £1m player in January

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TeamTalk claim Blackburn Rovers and Derby County have joined Leeds United and Sunderland in the race for AFC Wimbledon striker Ali Al-Hamadi with the Iraq star impressing over the last year.

Al-Hamadi, 21, has been on fire since joining League Two side Wimbledon in January. He scored 10 goals in 19 games during the second half of last season. This term, five goals and five assists in 17.

The striker’s form has caught the eye. South London Press writer Edmund Brack said last week, Leeds were keeping an eye on Al-Hamadi. The Mirror’s Darren Witcoop said he will cost north of a £1m fee.

Now, TeamTalk deliver an update. They say that Leeds and Sunderland are interested, but other clubs are taking a look with the race for the striker hotting up. Blackburn and Derby are now keen on a move.

Blackburn and Derby join Leeds in race for striker Ali Ali-Hamadi

Leeds do not need Al-Hamadi. The Whites have Joel Piroe, Georginio Rutter and Patrick Bamford as options up top. Joe Gelhardt and Mateo Joseph are struggling to even get into the matchday squad.

Leeds do not need another striker. A move to Derby would see Al-Hamadi get plenty of game time. Sunderland pride themselves on signing young players under the guidance of manager Tony Mowbray.

Blackburn would see him join a side that require strength in depth and attacking talent – and the chance to work under iconic Danish striker Jon Dahl Tomasson. Sunderland or Blackburn, his best moves.

But for Leeds, a move for Al-Hamadi is hardly required. Gelhardt and Joseph need to consider their futures in January and a possible loan could materialise. But only then, should we consider Al-Hamadi.