Leeds United are in the market for a new striker but one forward linked with a move to Elland Road is now seemingly off to Marseille, as Roberto De Zerbi gets one up on The Whites again.
Back in the summer, Leeds were interested in Jonathan Rowe. But Marseille agreed a £17m fee for Rowe, who was deemed a key target for the Yorkshire side and instead, Rowe moved to France over Elland Road.
Rowe has since had a hand in five goals for Marseille since his move, starting just three of 19 games. Now, Roberto De Zerbi could look to elbow Leeds aside again for another attacker before Monday’s deadline.
Daniel Farke made it clear he would like a new striker, with Joe Gelhardt departing for Hull City and the injury-prone Patrick Bamford sidelined again. Leeds have been linked with Sevilla man Kelechi Iheanacho.
Marseille now closing in on another player on Leeds radar
Reports actually said that Leeds were close to signing Iheanacho, only for Graham Smyth to rubbish those Ihenacho claims last week. Whether Leeds are actually interested was up for debate, but Marseille are.
Indeed, MatchAfrique say Marseille have opened talks with Sevilla over a loan deal to land the 55-time Nigeria star and Iheanacho is keen on a move, having managed just nine La Liga appearances this term.
A move would see De Zerbi and Marseille knock Leeds out of the way to sign another attacking player, the second time within six months. Leeds’ search for a new striker continues, into the last few days.
Why Iheanacho is no improvement on what Leeds already have
Once upon a time, Iheanacho was banging in the goals for Manchester City as Sergio Aguero’s back-up. But those days are long gone and the feeling is that Iheanacho is already past his prime, at Sevilla.
Three goals in 11 games does not tell the whole story. All three goals have come in two Copa Del Rey games against lower opposition with Iheanacho struggling to earn a run out since Victor Orta signed him.
| Name | Clubs | Appearances | Minutes | Goals | Assists | Minutes per G+A |
| Joel Piroe | Leeds Swansea | 164 | 11673 | 64 | 16 | 145.9 |
| Mateo Joseph | Leeds | 47 | 1331 | 3 | 3 | 221.8 |
| Patrick Bamford | Leeds Middlesbrough Derby Forest | 210 | 12600 | 69 | 15 | 150 |
| Kelechi Iheanacho | Leicester | 23 | 915 | 5 | 1 | 152.5 |
Comparing his Championship stats from last season’s Leicester promotion campaign, Iheanacho is no improvement on Joel Piroe and even injured Bamford – while Mateo Joseph is seen as one for the future.
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