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Leeds exploring move to sign “clinical” CF
Leeds United were so unlucky to come away from their trip to St James’ Park on Wednesday night empty-handed.
On another night, Daniel Farke‘s determined Whites would have held onto their slim 3-2 lead, but Newcastle United’s never-say-die attitude would end up shining through, as two late efforts handed Eddie Howe’s men a spectacular 4-3 victory.
Farke would curse his side’s luck at the full-time whistle, with the German even explicitly stating that Harvey Barnes’ last-gasp winner was “saveable”, as Lucas Perri helped the ex-Leicester City winger’s effort into the net.
There’s no need for panic stations at Elland Road, though, as Leeds are still eight points clear of the Premier League drop zone.
But a couple of additions here and there could help the West Yorkshire giants push even further away from the troubling relegation spots in the division, instead of falling victim to more tired displays.
Leeds monitor move for Premier League striker
Indeed, Farke arguably stretched his side to breaking point on Tyneside, with Joe Rodon limping off with injury after being surprisingly included.
To bolster his options at the back, Leeds could snap up reserve Chelsea defender Axel Disasi, before the February deadline looms large, with reports suggesting that a move is in advanced stages.
Away from this persistent rumour, it has been rather quiet on the transfer front in West Yorkshire, but another transfer shout has now come to the surface.
As per TEAMtalk, the Premier League new boys are allegedly monitoring the ongoing situation of Callum Wilson at West Ham United, as the Hammers prepare to finalise a mutual termination.
Wilson had been on Leeds’ radar in the summer, and so a move could be back on the table for the 33-year-old to finally move to Yorkshire on a free transfer switch.
The report does admit that there is some scepticism on the part of Farke and Co over whether it’s a worthwhile swoop or not, but it could end up being a masterstroke of a signing, in the same way Dominic Calvert-Lewin‘s addition to the Leeds ranks on a free transfer has proven to be an outrageous bargain.
Why Wilson could be a Calvert Lewin repeat
Calvert-Lewin once again got in on the goalscoring act against Howe’s men, with a confidently tucked away penalty taking his league tally for the season up to a red-hot nine strikes from 19 clashes.
There was always a goalscorer present when the number 9 plied his trade with Everton, as seen in him powering home 55 top-flight goals for the Toffees before embarking on a switch to Elland Road.
However, his game has been taken to that next level under Farke, with Wilson hopeful he can inject the same vigour back into his career if a January move comes to fruition.
After all, Wilson hasn’t been completely reduced to a pointless background figure at the Hammers, with the 33-year-old actually managing to bag a respectable four Premier League goals this season, from only 810 minutes of action.
Adding in yet another “clinical” striker – as Wilson was once labelled by the Athletic’s Chris Waugh – to the mix could really help Farke’s men grind out more results near the bottom of the division.
Indeed, the Premier League veteran’s overall record in the tough league makes him more than a fitting stand-in for Calvert-Lewin if required.
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Wilson vs DCL in the Premier League |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Stat |
||
|
Games played |
256 |
258 |
|
Games started |
188 |
193 |
|
Goals scored |
92 |
66 |
|
Assists |
24 |
16 |
|
Sourced by the Premier League |
||
Amazingly, the nine-time England international actually betters the free-flowing Leeds number nine when comparing their head-to-head records in the Premier League, with Wilson putting away a stunning 92 strikes, even as he’s had to make do with being an impact substitute for large spells of his playing days at the very top.
47 of those efforts fell when Wilson pulled on Newcastle black and white, which makes Wilson the Toon’s second-highest all-time goalscorer in the division, obviously behind Alan Shearer.
His former manager on Tyneside in Steve Bruce, would go as far as to state that the ageing attacker possesses a “unique knack” to always be in the right place, at the right time, to fire home an opportunity.
If a chance opens up during the hectic month ahead for Leeds to land Wilson, they should arguably take it, as another veteran striker strives to prove that there’s life in their legs just yet.
Fewer touches than Perri: Leeds star showed why Farke has to sign Disasi
Leeds United somehow came away from their barnstorming Premier League classic against Newcastle United empty-handed.
