Leeds can blow Lukas Nmecha signing out the water with France Under-21 star, he’s ‘frightening’

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Leeds United have announced the signing of Lukas Nmecha from VfL Wolfsburg on a free transfer as their first signing of the summer.

Lukas Nmecha is now a Leeds United player, with a rapid switch to bring Nmecha to Elland Road coming out of nowhere and sealed within hours of the initial reveal.

Wolfsburg even wanted to keep Nmecha but wished him well upon signing for Leeds on an initial two-year deal until 2027 to move back to England, which is an aspect Nmecha knows well due to his Man City days and through loans with Preston North End and Middlesbrough.

Pep Guardiola and Vincent Kompany have praised Nmecha previously when he was a younger player, but it has been confirmed that he won’t be the only striker signing made by Leeds this summer.

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Thierno Barry would be perfect for Leeds on top of signing Nmecha

Among other things, Nmecha is classed as homegrown for Leeds. He is also a capable player at running the channels, pinning his marker, and being a general nuisance as a focal point of an attack.

That said, Leeds cannot rely on him as their main source of firepower, and similar can be said of Mateo Joseph given his current stage in his development. Patrick Bamford’s fitness and consistency cannot be relied upon, either.

That leaves Joel Piroe, but the Dutchman lacks the pace and/or the power to spearhead a Premier League attack. Nmecha is perhaps the most suited to the role required, but his injury record is also a major concern.

It means Leeds need a starting striker of the requisite quality and of the right profile for survival. Leeds require a blend of physicality, athleticism, power, and intensity out of possession in their front man next year.

One option that ticks a number of those boxes, while also being a player with potential and resale value, is Thierno Barry. The 22-year-old striker stands at 6’5″ and has only played for Villarreal for one season after joining from FC Basel.

He helped them to achieve a fifth-place finish last year but could be on the move again this summer, with Everton also looking at Barry and a deal is now close, according to Everton News.

The Frenchman is currently with France’s U-21 side for the European Championships in Slovakia. He scored a last-minute winner during a 3-2 win over Georgia on Saturday as well.

Above all else, Barry fits the bill as a number nine. He has all the right attributes as a centre-forward in the modern game and the current Premier League ‘meta’.

He is the archetypal Premier League striker in that sense and ought to be considered over Fulham striker Rodrigo Muniz to be the main man for Leeds next season.

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‘Frightening’ Thierno Barry has a fantastic goal record

Paraag Marathe and the 49ers must ensure Leeds have a number of attacking outlets who can keep the ball in the opposition half and get them up the pitch to relieve pressure, which Barry certainly brings to the table through sheer power.

However, he can also score goals. Output is obviously paramount with Daniel Farke’s Leeds team needing the goals to survive. The big battering ram of a striker has been described as ‘frightening’ by The Athletic ahead of the Euros this summer.

As seen above, he provided 15 goal contributions in his debut La Liga season at the age of 21 and 22. That is frightening, and it displays exactly why Leeds should be looking to hijack Everton’s move and add to Nmecha in their forward line.