Leeds United told to complete January deal for ‘huge talent’, he could offer something different to Joel Piroe

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Despite Daniel Farke’s promise of a quiet January, Leeds United’s striker position certainly offers up an interesting dilemma next month.

Joel Piroe and Mateo Joseph have so far been rotated in the role by Farke this season but neither have been able to make the position their own whenever they have started.

Piroe has managed seven goals and three assists so far this term, but incredibly, less than half of his goal contributions have come in the 11 matches he has started.

Joseph, meanwhile, has scored twice and provided three assists, but clearly Farke has not viewed that return as enough considering he has started just two of the last 12 games.

Farke does not want a busy January at Leeds, but if a deal is there to be done for a top striker then surely it is a no brainer considering the huge pressure to win promotion this season.

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Carlton Palmer tells Leeds to complete Louie Barry deal

Leeds have been linked with a couple of strikers in the last couple of weeks, which would suggest it is a position they are at least exploring their options in.

Leeds are open to offers for Patrick Bamford next month and with Joe Gelhardt also expected to leave, it would leave a vacancy in the squad for one to come in.

Maccabi Tel Aviv’s Dor Turgeman is among those Leeds have reportedly approached, while Aston Villa’s Louie Barry has also been mentioned.

Barry is currently on loan at League One side Stockport County where he has managed an impressive 14 goals already, but Villa are reportedly set to recall him in January and send him to the Championship.

Speaking to Football League World, former Leeds midfielder Carlton Palmer believes the Whites should complete an initial loan deal that includes an option-to-buy, as his pace in behind offers something different to Piroe.

He said: “Leeds United are the latest club to be linked with Louie Barry, the talented centre-forward on loan at Stockport from Aston Villa. He’s already got 14 goals and has provided one assist in 19 league appearances for Stockport, who are in fifth place.

“It’s thought that Villa are considering recalling him so that he can go on loan at a higher division for the second-half of the season. I think that’s a bit cruel on Stockport, who have taken him on loan. He’s found his feet at Stockport last season and this season, where he’s done terrifically well. He’s a huge talent.

“I think that he should be allowed to stay at Stockport until the end of the season, and then if you want to send him on loan the following season you can do that.

“I think Leeds will be worried about injuries in the second-half of the season, they’ve got Gnonto, Ramazani and Solomon but what they’ll be looking for is that striker on top who has that pace and runs in behind, and Barry provides that.

“They haven’t got that with Piroe. He holds the ball up and links up play but when you play that sole striker that they do, they need someone who can run off the back of centre-halves and get in behind.

“The one thing Villa will be concerned about if they recall him from Stockport and send him out to a Championship side, they would not want him to be sat on the bench so Leeds would have to convince them he’s going to play week-in, week-out.

“He’s not played at that level, so it will be a huge gamble for Leeds at this present moment in time. Maybe if they can secure a loan with a view to a permanent move, they may be looking for him in the future and that would be a good bit of business because he’s got a really bright future ahead of him.”

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Despite Palmer claim, Leeds don’t need Barry in January

Barry has clearly been extremely prolific at Stockport this season but his good performances have actually been coming as a left-winger.

Yes, a new striker would be extremely useful at Elland Road next month, but Barry just does not fit the mould of what Leeds need.

Leeds quite simply would not be able to offer Barry the regular game time Villa would want, as he would come in as fourth choice on the left at best.

Wilfried Gnonto, Largie Ramazani and Manor Solomon are all better and more proven options at this level. A specialist number nine is what’s needed, not someone who can just fill in there.