Leeds United are in the market for a striker this summer, and the club are considering several options ahead of the new season.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored 14 Premier League goals last season and played a talismanic role in ensuring Leeds avoided relegation with ease in the top flight.
However, beyond him, Leeds often struggled for goals. Lukas Nmecha has never been a prolific goalscorer, and Joel Piroe was the third or fourth choice striker. They looked short of ideas in the final third whenever the former Everton man hit a dry spell.
The Whites are keen to sign a striker who can not only partner Calvert-Lewin up front but also replace him in the team if he goes through a lean patch at any point in the season.
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The Whites are in the market for a striker despite signing a creative and goal-scoring outlet like Harry Wilson on a free transfer already this summer.
They want to provide more support to Dominic Calvert-Lewin and have been assessing several options over the last few months.
Leeds have been heavily linked with a move for Feyenoord striker Ayase Ueda, who looked good at the World Cup as part of the Japan squad.
He scored 26 goals in 40 appearances in all competitions last season, and has been on Leeds’ radar for a while ahead of the summer transfer window.
However, according to the Daily Mail, Leeds are not overly sure about making a move for the 27-year-old striker this summer.
He is a player of interest at Elland Road, and his name has been extensively discussed in Leeds’ recruitment meetings.
However, Leeds believe there are better-value striker options available than Ueda.
Feyenoord are likely to demand £35m before agreeing to sell him, and Leeds feel he is not worth that amount of money at this stage.
Ayase Ueda is not a proven option at the moment
If Leeds are to spend £35m or more on a striker this summer, they would want someone who is already proven and guaranteed to score goals in the Premier League.
Ueda scored 26 times last season, but he is only hitting his peak at 27, and is unproven beyond the Netherlands at the moment.
There are no guarantees that he can translate those goalscoring numbers to the Premier League or even get close to them.
He could have been considered more value for money if Feyenoord were prepared to drop their asking price. However, at £35m, the forward could be too much of a gamble for Leeds.
Morons, how many goals has he scored at i ternatuonaal level against top teams, a much higher standard than PL, 35 is a decent fee for a quality striker, better only 5 more than the 30 Southampton ask for an unproven talent I. A position which we are well covered and not a priority. At 35 he’s a bargain snap him up immediately