Leeds United made eight signings in the summer window but were linked with a whole lot more as Daniel Farke looked to create a side capable of winning promotion to the Premier League.
Joe Rodon and Largie Ramazani cost £10m apiece, Joe Rothwell and Manor Solomon have joined on loan while Alex Cairns and Jayden Bogle joined early on. Ao Tanaka and Isaac Schmidt arrived on deadline day.
But there could have been a lot more. Leeds were keen on a no.10 but nothing materialised, while Daniel Farke’s squad is probably still a defender short. Surprisingly, a number of strikers were linked with Leeds.
Leeds are well-stocked up top, especially with Joe Gelhardt remaining to provide cover. Mateo Joseph is first choice with Patrick Bamford now back after a hamstring injury and Joel Piroe in a good run of form.
But Leeds were linked with strikers and one of those The Whites are said to have held talks to sign in the summer is scoring at a better rate of one goal in every two games, at the moment.
Jusef Erabi is on fire after Leeds held talks over £8.3m move
In August, Leeds held talks to sign Jusef Erabi from Swedish side Hammarby. A player that has scored 22 goals in 66 Hammarby games in Sweden’s top tier, but has taken his form to a new level in the last weeks.
Indeed, the £8.3m-rated striker has now scored an impressive five goals in his last nine league games. It has taken Erabi’s tally to an eye-catching 10 goals in 21 games during the 2024 campaign over in Sweden.
While it is unclear how far Leeds got in talks to sign Erabi and whether the forward himself would have been keen on a move to Elland Road, there is no doubt that Erabi is a gem and will be on the move, soon.
A future move for Erabi surely depends on Patrick Bamford future
While Leeds have four options to play up top and even five, if in-form U21 striker Luca Thomas is to be given the pathway into the first team, there is no chance Leeds will be in the market to sign a new striker.
Joseph is a player that Farke will want to build his team around and Piroe only joined a year ago for £16m. Gelhardt was axed by Farke on Saturday and he may well have played his last game for the Yorkshire side.
If Leeds are to pursue their initial interest in Erabi, then it all depends on the future of Bamford at Leeds. Foreign clubs wanted Leeds man Bamford in the summer, but now Bamford could sign a new contract.
Currently, it looks unlikely that Bamford is going to leave Leeds and while he remains at the club with Piroe and Joseph, Leeds are unlikely to pursue a striker but if he does go, Erabi could be targeted.
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