Leeds United forward Marcus Antonsson’s future at the club continues to surrounded by uncertainties, amidst interest from Swedish clubs, according to the Yorkshire Evening Post.
The 27-year-old forward spent the 2017/18 season away on loan with Blackburn Rovers in the League One but the club, who had the option to make the move a permanent one, have decided against exercising it, following their promotion back to the EFL Championship.
Swedish sides Malmo FF and Hammersby are said to be interested in the services of the player, with his agent confirming the interest in the player as well. Speaking to Fotboll Direkt (h/t Yorkshire Evening Post), he said:
“Yes, interest is great in Marcus. But (as of) today we do not know what Leeds want and he has a year left on his contract. I think in a month we will know more.”
Given the dearth of strikers at the Elland Road, should Leeds be willing to give Antonsson another opportunity the next season? Or are they better off cashing in on him?
Signed from Kalmar FF in the summer of 2016, the 27-year old-Antonsson arrived with a solid couple of seasons behind his back, having scored 25 goals in 47 appearances for the club. However, his career at Leeds never took off as he managed to make just 21 appearances for his new team (just 10 starts), coming up with returns of 3 goals and a solitary assist.
Having had a disappointing campaign, the Swede was deemed surplus to requirements at the Elland Road and was shipped off to the Ewood Park in the summer by then Leeds manager Thomas Christiansen.
With Blackburn, the 27-year-old enjoyed a decent enough campaign, scoring 7 goals and laying on 3 more for his teammates in 31 League One appearances, playing a hand in the club achieving promotion back to the second tier of English football.
Despite having a decent campaign in the League One, it is hard to imagine he would be able to make much of an impact back at Elland Road next season.
The 27-year-old does have some redeeming qualities within him but isn’t really cut out for the English game and it is unlikely that he will have a future with the Whites.
What Leeds need at this point in time is a proven striker, someone who could fill in the giant void left by the departure of Chris Wood last season. Given the fact that Antonsson has just a year left on his deal, it is time for Leeds cash in on him this summer rather than risk losing him for free a year later.