Leeds United can finally get one over on Sunderland with January transfer, survival depends on it

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The summer transfer window saw Leeds United miss out on a whole host of transfer targets, and some of them ended up at Sunderland. Now, the two sides are both in the mix for a Real Madrid talent.

Firstly, Leeds made a bid of £22m for Habib Diarra. But Sunderland elbowed Leeds aside and signed the Senegal star for £30m. Sunderland had higher headroom than Daniel Farke’s side in the eyes of PSR.

Noah Sadiki confirmed Leeds made a bid, but he chose Sunderland instead. Both Leeds and Sunderland were in talks for defender Reinildo Mandava as well, with the Mozambique star moving to Wearside.

It saw many Leeds fans suggest Sunderland were copying Adam Underwood’s homework and showing it off as their own. Well, Leeds and Sunderland are now both in the mix for a Real Madrid attacker.

• READ MORE: The eye-watering fee that Leeds may now have to pay to sign Troy Parrott

Leeds and Sunderland among the clubs eyeing Gonzalo Garcia

At the Club World Cup in the summer, Gonzalo Garcia was on fire for Xabi Alonso’s side. The Spain U21 international scored four goals in six games during the summer tournament, but has struggled since.

Indeed, Garcia has been afforded little over 100 minutes of action and The Mail says Premier League sides are queuing up for the attacker. Brighton are also keen and are said to be leading the race to land Garcia.

Leeds’ PSR position may make a loan more realistic and if that is the case, then the Whites will have to convince Madrid that a move to Elland Road would see Garcia get more game time than their rivals.

Gonzalo Garcia can provide Leeds United spark in race for survival

If Leeds are going to avoid the drop, they need to score more goals. Simple as that. Dominic Calvert-Lewin is missing chances, and against top opposition, Garcia showed he can score in different ways.

He can win a header, he can shoot from outside the box, but he can also be a poacher, too. Comparisons with Raul make sense, and that kind of finishing prowess is something Leeds to avoid the drop.

Sunderland already have plenty up top with Wilson Isidor, Brian Brobbey, and more. Garcia won’t start at Brighton with Danny Welbeck in such good form. A move to Leeds promises more game time.

If Leeds can convince Madrid to loan him out, even if it means including a permanent fee for the summer, then it might just be the difference between an instant relegation and surviving in the Premier League.