Agent opens door to Leeds United for ‘outstanding’ Golden Boot-winning striker

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No Leeds United player has claimed the Golden Boot since Chris Wood plundered 27 for Garry Monk during the 2016/17 campaign.

A trend Joel Piroe is now hoping to break.

In a campaign shorn of Aleksandr Mitrovic’s or Chuba Akpom’s, a tally in the early-20s could be enough to secure the top scorer crown in this season’s Championship. But with Borja Sainz of Norwich City pulling two clear last time out, Joel Piroe – and Leeds United for that matter – could do with ending a recent slump at Luton Town if both player and club are to achieve their ambitions.

Piroe dreams of joining Chris Wood in Leeds’ history books. For the Yorkshire giants as a whole – Leeds travel to Kenilworth Road in Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off following one win in five – another season of second-tier football holds about as much appeal as a drawing pin in the retina.

But, even if promotion slips through the grasp again, do Leeds really have enough consistent firepower in the final third?

Amid interest in Ukraine and Dynamo Kyiv striker Vladyslav Vanat, is another centre-forward required this summer?

Agent speaks out as Leeds United target Vladyslav Vanat

Now, that feel like an odd question given that Leeds have outscored table-topping Sheffield United by 22 goals this term. Yet, Piroe’s output remains inconsistent, Patrick Bamford hasn’t played since New Years’ Day, and Mateo Joseph is still stuck on a miserly three.

As such, the aforementioned Vanat, with 14 overall and six in his last seven outings, has rifled his way onto Leeds’ summer wishlist, according to TBR Football.

Brentford, Fulham, Wolves and West Ham are also tracking a centre-forward likened to Premier League icon Robin van Persie, with the implication being that Leeds will have to join this quartet in the top-flight if they are to stand a chance.

Vanat has also earned comparisons to Artem Dovbyk. The number nine who scored for fun in Ukraine before going on to win La Liga’s Golden Boot award with Girona and earning a big-money move to Roma.

Experienced agent Vadim Shabliy is, however, a little more guarded when asked about any similarities between the Dynamo Kiev hotshot and the greatest figure in Ukrainian football; The legendary Andriy Shevchenko.

“I would not compare him to Andriy Shevchenko, a world-class player, because every footballer is unique and talented in his own way,” Shabliy tells the Ukrainian media. “Especially since football has changed a lot in recent years and has become more dynamic and technical.

“Sometimes it is a battle of tactics. And, sometimes, it is a battle of endurance and quick decision-making.”

Dynamo Kiev star tipped to translate Ukraine success in the Premier League

Vanat clearly has a long way to go to match the achievements of the Champions League and Ballon D’Or-winning AC Milan icon.

Yet, having finished last season as the top scorer in Ukraine and well on his way to securing a second successive Golden Boot, the sky appears to be the limit for the man likely to become the next ‘UPL’ export.

“I think Vladislav demonstrates stable and high-quality performances,” adds Shabliy. “He has good tactical thinking and understanding of the game, and this helps him score many goals in the league. High efficiency at a young age is a good sign.

“If he maintains the current rate of progress, he has every chance to become a strong and an outstanding striker.

“Adaptability is a very important skill in football now, so I think the younger the player, the easier it is for him to integrate and adapt to the style of play required by the team. Vanat can play successfully in both Serie A and the Premier League.

“His move to one league or another will depend on which club offers him the best conditions for development and the best opportunity to realise his potential. Also, the conditions of the potential club must match the transfer requirements of his current team, Dynamo Kyiv.”

Interestingly, Shabliy helped oversee the transfers of Vitaliy Mykolenko [Everton] and Mykhaylo Mudryk [Chelsea] to England in recent times.

Football correspondent Graeme Bailey believes Leeds could make a move for AC Milan’s Tammy Abraham, meanwhile. Nice talisman Evann Guessand is another to be linked, alongside Sunderland’s Wilson Isidor and Norwich City’s Josh Sargent.