Leeds United now have little choice but to bring in another striker this summer after allowing Joel Piroe to join West Ham, with Daniel Farke needing more options alongside Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
The former Everton forward enjoyed an excellent first season at Elland Road, scoring 14 league goals and playing a major role in Leeds securing their Premier League status. But whenever Calvert-Lewin struggled in front of goal, Leeds lacked another reliable forward who could step up and take some of the pressure off him.
Piroe’s departure has only made that issue more obvious, and finding another centre-forward should now be one of Leeds’ biggest priorities before the window closes. Farke needs someone who can genuinely compete with Calvert-Lewin for a starting place while also giving him the option of playing the two together.
The new striker also needs to be capable of leading the line when Calvert-Lewin is unavailable. With Piroe now gone, Leeds simply cannot afford to start the new Premier League season without adding another quality option up front.
Read More: Leeds United must avoid £40m panic buy at all costs after Joel Piroe exit
Leeds United striker target left out of the squad
Zian Flemming scored 11 Premier League goals in 21 starts for a Burnley side who suffered relegation from the top flight last season.
His performances for a poor Burnley side have turned heads, and he is one of the strikers Leeds are seriously considering signing before the end of the window.
Everton also have their eyes on him, and while Burnley want to hold on to him, the 28-year-old striker is widely expected to leave before the window closes on September 1.
He was left out of Burnley’s squad for the game against West Brom today, but manager Nicky Hayen has insisted that it has nothing to do with the transfer speculation.
He stressed that the striker picked up a calf injury in the draw against West Ham last weekend, when he scored a brace.
Nicky Hayen told Sky Sports News: “I think you saw in the last seconds of the game that he had an injury in the calf.
“He didn’t recover well enough for this game, but we are preparing him for the others.”
Asked if it has anything to do with the rumours of his transfer: “No, not at all.
“I expected this question, but you can see the clips at the end of the game that he had a little injury, and unfortunately for us, he didn’t make it today.”
Zian Flemming would be a smart signing for Leeds United
The 28-year-old Dutchman finished last season as Burnley’s leading scorer in the Premier League, finding the net 11 times in just 29 appearances.
Flemming stood out despite playing in a struggling team, and his performances have understandably caught the attention of several Premier League clubs.
Only Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored more league goals than Flemming among Leeds’ current squad last season, while Noah Okafor finished three goals behind the Burnley forward.
With Premier League experience already under his belt and a proven record in front of goal, Flemming looks like exactly the kind of opportunity Leeds should be looking to take advantage of before the transfer window closes.
No he wouldn’t. He is no better than Nmecha and would be a waste of money. At 28 why would he find bench warming an attractive proposition.We can exercise other options. Even Matteo Joseph when fit has more potential.
Joseph couldn’t hit a barn door with a banjo. If we are looking to go backwards then why get rid of Gelhart, or even Piroe. We need a proven Premier League, or other elite level, goal scorer. I agree that Flemming may not be the answer, but Joseph certainly isn’t
Check the highlights on YouTube of Flemong outstanding performance against Hammers, 2 goals always dangerous 5 times better than DCL and Nemecha, a strong candidate for starter. Sign him and we stand a chance of moving up the league, faure and our depleted attack could leave us facing relegation