Leeds United fans have been clamouring for a new striker. Joel Piroe is their top scorer with ten Championship goals but beyond him, their cupboard looks bare. Mateo Joseph has netted twice all season and Patrick Bamford is yet to find the back of the net this term. Leeds are the Championship’s top scorers this season but there is a feeling that the lack of one more attacking option could derail their promotion charge towards the end of the campaign. The Whites want to sign former Manchester City and Leicester City star Kelechi Iheanacho on loan in the winter window. A player with the experience of playing in the Premier League and the Championship, the Nigerian’s arrival could turbocharge Leeds’ promotion ambition in the latter half of the season.
The lack of a clinical striker beyond Piroe has been a major reason for Leeds fans’ trepidations about their promotion hopes this season.
Joseph has flattered to deceive and has yet to prove himself at this level despite occasionally showing glimpses of his talent. Bamford is no longer the same player following injury issues over the last couple of seasons.
Daniel Farke is not keen to disrupt the harmony inside his squad but it has been claimed that the Leeds boss is open to bringing in a new striker before the transfer window closes on 3rd February.
According to Football Insider, Leeds have registered their interest in Sevilla striker Kelechi Iheanacho, who can leave the Spanish club on loan in the ongoing transfer window.
The Nigerian has experience playing in England and would be open to returning if Leeds can reach an agreement with Sevilla.
Kelechi Iheanacho could fire Leeds United back to the Premier League
Leeds have scored 48 goals this season in the Championship and only Middlesbrough have come close to their haul with 43 strikes in 26 games thus far.
However, Leeds fans remain worried that goalscoring could end up becoming the problem towards the business end of the season due to the lack of options.
Piroe is the undisputed number-one striker in the Leeds squad but Joseph and Bamford’s lack of impact continues to be a worry for the Yorkshire giants.
Several players have chipped in with goals to cover for the lack of a clinical number 9 but there is a feeling Leeds need one more forward in the latter half of the season.
Iheanacho was part of the Leicester City squad that won the Championship and got promoted to the Premier League last season but only scored five goals in 23 appearances.
The forward hit a purple patch during the September-October phase. However, he struggled for goals and game time once he returned from the African Cup of Nations.
Sevilla signed him last summer but he is struggling for minutes in Spain and the club are open to letting him leave on loan in the winter transfer window.
Despite his problems at Leicester, Iheanacho has proven himself in England and would add much-needed quality to the Leeds forward line if he arrives
Signing him on loan would make sense for Leeds who need a striker who can go straight into the team without needing time to adapt to English football.
Leeds must grab this opportunity
Piroe has led the line well this season but he is under far too much pressure due to Joseph and Bamford’s lack of goals. Leeds’ season could unravel if the Dutchman suffers an injury or his form takes a downturn.
Leeds need a forward who will be ready to get into the team and make an impact immediately following his arrival.
The Whites are in a tough race for automatic promotion and can’t afford the luxury of a new signing taking time to adapt to the Championship in the latter half of the season.
Iheanacho is a striker who has proved himself in England and will be ready to slot into the Leeds team straightaway if needed. He also has the experience of being in a team that won promotion from the Championship.
Leeds must take this opportunity; sign the forward on loan from Sevilla and bring him to Elland Road before the window closes on 3rd February.
