Leeds United are still expected to be active in the January transfer window, even if Daniel Farke’s side have gone five games unbeaten in the Premier League, after Sunday’s draw with Sunderland.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin has rubbished the belief that Leeds need a new striker in January. His eight goals this season have seen the England international already produce his third-best Premier League season.
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In only two of his nine seasons at Everton did he score more than eight goals. Well, Calvert-Lewin took his tally to eight on Sunday. The first Leeds player to score in six consecutive Premier League matches.
A remarkable feat. Lukas Nmecha has four goals and while he has been injured, the Germany striker is fit again and provides ample back-up, or partnership, to Calvert-Lewin. So, do Leeds need to sign a striker?
Jon Newsome shares verdict on potential Troy Parrott signing
The switch to 3-5-2 means there is a need for more strikers, especially with Joel Piroe seemingly a possible sale in the winter window. Calvert-Lewin and Nmecha are no strangers to injuries, either.
Leeds have been in talks to sign AZ Alkmaar’s Troy Parrott since the summer window. It comes after Leeds rejected the chance to sign Parrott for £25m in the summer. Since then, he’s become an Ireland hero.
On BBC Radio 5 Live, Leeds title winner Jon Newsome explains how difficult it will be to sign former Tottenham striker Parrott in January, and how Parrott will need some convincing to move to Leeds.
“Let’s say Troy Parrott. Irish international, playing well. Doing really well. Leeds United come in for him, it’s tough for him to turn down, but are you going to play? Really? Are you going to knock Calvert-Lewin out?
“Get himself in front of Nmecha? It depends how happy he is at the moment and the belief in his quality. It’s not as easy as saying, he’s scoring a lot of goals, let’s buy him. It might not be right for the player.”
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Troy Parrott is likely to be a whole lot more expensive, now
Leeds had scouts in attendance as Parrott scored twice in Ireland’s crazy 2-0 win over Portugal during the last international break, which made Parrott a hero. But he earned iconic status in the game afterwards.
A hat-trick, the third right at the death, to beat Hungary 3-2 at the Aviva and send Ireland into the World Cup play-offs. Former AZ Alkmaar midfielder Karim El Ahmadi reckons Parrott’s value has gone up £13m.
“In just a week, his transfer value has increased by ten to fifteen million euros. In his off-ball role, I think he’s a bit like Luuk de Jong. He really sets the tone and includes everyone,” El Ahmadi said on Parrott.
Then, there is the factor that it is the middle of the season and no club will want to lose their best player. Parrott will want consistency, scoring goals as he is at Alkmaar. Realistically, Parrott won’t leave in January.
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