Graham Smyth thinks Pascal Struijk’s injury will tempt Leeds United into bid for £10m Premier League player

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Going into the January transfer window, Daniel Farke might have been looking to bring in a new striker and possibly a no.10 at Elland Road – but now, the priority seems to be a centre-back.

The need for a striker and a no.10 remains. Joe Gelhardt has left for Hull City and Patrick Bamford is still injured, leaving Daniel Farke with only Joel Piroe and Mateo Joseph for the remaining 19 league games.

Brenden Aaronson has an ankle knock and is a doubt for Wednesday’s clash. The USA star has started 25 league games in a row, but his absence leaves a big hole in arguably Leeds’ most-important position.

But Leeds do have cover in those positions. In defence, the cover is waring thin with Pascal Struijk out until February and possibly for months, while Max Wober continues to suffer from knee injuries this term.

• READ MORE: Daniel Farke says there is a “small possibility” that a Leeds defender leaves

Pascal Struijk injury may tempt Leeds to reignite previous interest

Leeds need a centre-back then, and Leeds have been linked with a move for Andrew Omobamidele. The Ireland international is struggling for game time at Nottingham Forest and Farke knows the defender well.

He gave him his Premier League debut at Norwich and in fact, Omobamidele scored his first professional goal against Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds with Farke in the other dugout. Smyth now has a potential update.

The YEP’s chief reporter told The Square Ball that actually, Leeds have shown interest in Omobamidele in the past. But, that Struijk’s injury could see Leeds reignite that interest and try to lure him to Elland Road.

“He was a player that was liked in a previous window, genuinely. But he hadn’t been a target this window prior to Struijk but I wouldn’t be surprised if he was on a list and will be revisited after Struijk’s injury.”

How Andrew Omobamidele compares to Leeds centre-backs

After a game against Arsenal, Farke said Omobamidele is “outstanding” while in charge at Norwich. But how does he compare to Struijk and Joe Rodon when it comes to their form in the Championship?

There is a player in Omobamidele and Farke obviously knows him well enough to decide if he would be good enough to have an impact in this Leeds side – but the numbers show Rodon and Struijk are better.

Of course, he’d have to be some player to be better than the Leeds duo. Farke thinks Rodon and Struijk are the best two Championship centre-backs but £10m Omobamidele would be an excellent replacement.