At this stage, there are only six players remaining at Leeds United who played under the iconic Marcelo Bielsa at Elland Road.
Illan Meslier, Dan James, Junior Firpo, Joe Gelhardt, Pascal Struijk and, of course, Patrick Bamford.
By the time January rolls into February, could that number be reduced to five? Speculation over Leeds’ long-serving number nine continues, even if Daniel Farke has done his best to squash it in the media.
Bamford has been linked with Genoa in Serie A. There has been reports of a potential move to big-spending League One duo Birmingham City and Wrexham too.
Now, considering the sort of deal Wrexham appear to have prioritised since Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney breathed fresh life into this once asphyxiated institution, Bamford feels like a very typical addition to Phil Parkinson’s squad.
A squad which contains former Premier League stalwarts such as Steven Fletcher, James McClean, Matty James, as well as a host of EFL veterans. Bamford, a 17-goal top-flight season on his CV at Leeds United, would fit in pretty well at the Racecourse Ground, then.
Wrexham boss plays down Patrick Bamford reports amid Leeds United uncertainty
Though, when quizzed upon the prospect of January additions this week, Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson admitted that, while the door is always open, the impending return of Jack Marriott should lessen the need for attacking reinforcements.
“We’re always looking to see if a player comes available who we think can improve us as we’ve got the resources to try and get that player,” Parkinson says. “But equally, we’ve got Jack Marriott, who did really well for us at the start of the season, coming back in a couple of weeks as well.”
Journeyman Marriott scored five goals in 10 League One matches before suffering a broken fibula in October. Once he is back in action, Parkinson will have Marriott, Fletcher, Jon Dadi Bodvarsson and club legend Paul Mullen to choose from in the final third.
While some will argue that you can never have enough goalscorers in your ranks, Parkinson knows the difficult balance of squad depth versus keeping all your players happy and content.
“I don’t bring someone in for the sake of it and disrupt the group, but we’re looking all the time, and speak to clubs and agents,” the former Sunderland coach adds.
“If we feel they can add that extra bit of quality, which might help us get over the line at the end of the season, then of course we will go for that.”
Daniel Farke feels Bamford can still help Leeds earn promotion
Bamford, injuries taking their toll on his now 31-year-old body, appears to have slipped behind Mateo Joseph and Joel Piroe in Leeds United’s pecking order.
He has not started any of his ten Championship appearances this season. Bamford missed Leeds’ 3-3 draw at Hull City last time out too after picking up a hamstring strain.
Yet, Farke remains confident that Bamford could still have a major part to play in a promotion battle which could go down to the wire.
“A fit Patrick Bamford is a good option,” Farke says.
There is also the complicating factor of Bamford’s very hefty wages. Wages that could put him even beyond even Wrexham’s reach.
“From what I understand, Leeds would be open to offers [for Bamford],” TBR Football’s chief correspondent Graeme Bailey told Leeds United News recently. “But they’re not trying to kick him out the door. Balancing the books is a concern, but it’s all eyes on promotion.
“They don’t want anyone out that can impact promotion. It’s a happy camp. We’re not talking [Wilfried] Gnonto or [Luis] Sinisterra, threatening strikes. Bamford’s not like that. hHe’s a good player for the camp.
“Leeds would consider [selling], but they’re not desperately trying to get rid of him.”
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