Leeds United are reportedly battling West Ham and a number of other clubs in the race to sign Venezia and Finland star Joel Pohjanpalo – and watch below, as the striker opened his account for the 23-24 season on Monday night.
Pohjanpalo, 28, has thrown his name onto the radar of a number of European clubs after starring for Serie B outfit Venezia last term. Playing 38 games, he scored 19 goals and laid on seven more as his side reached the play-offs.
Italian outlet TMW say Leeds, West Ham, Blackburn and Norwich all want to sign Pohjanpalo – with a £3.5m release clause residing in his contract. La Nazione say Leverkusen and Champions League side Dinamo Zagreb are keen.
So, after a wonderful first season at Venezia, the 63-time Finland star – a teammate at international level of Rangers ace Glen Kamara – began his second year with Venezia. They took on Spezia in the Coppa Italia on Monday night.
Venezia eventually lost to Spezia – Ethan Ampadu’s two former loan sides. The game went to a penalty shootout after a 2-2 draw, in which Pohjanpalo scored in normal time – before missing in the shootout. Below, is his goal.
Watch as Leeds target Pohjanpalo opens his account for 23-24 season
While it is only a tap in – albeit, a well-controlled tap-in – it is just what Leeds are lacking. A striker that allows the team to put crosses into the box. It was missing against Cardiff with Willy Gnonto up top, and then at Birmingham.
He is good in the air, but more so a presence in the box. A no.9 that will get himself on the end of crosses into the box. If Leeds can beat competition to land the Venezia ace, then we are getting a bargain – but a needed one, too.
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