Forget Vydra and Hernandez – Leeds could bag gold by landing 11-goal attacker for £10m

Why Leeds United signing Patrick Bamford is a good move for the club

Leeds United are closing in on the transfer of Middlesbrough attacker Patrick Bamford, after having agreed on a £10million fee with the Teessiders for the former Chelsea starlet, as per reports. The 24-year old has reportedly completed a medical with the Whites.

It is no secret that Leeds have been chasing a forward all summer following their disappointing campaign last season. The Yorkshire based outfit failed to replace Chris Wood, who departed the club to join Burnley last summer.  

While the Whites recruited a number of strikers in the wake of the New Zealand international’s exit, starting from Caleb Ekuban, Pawel Cibicki to Pierre-Michel Lasogga, none of the players has managed to fill the gaping hole left behind by Wood’s move. And that turned out to be one of the major reasons why the club finished 13th in the Championship last season.

Leeds had been chasing the signature of free agent Abel Hernandez, following the expiry of his contract with Hull City. However, the Uruguayan striker is set to sign for Russian side CSKA Moscow, pouring cold water on the Whites’ hopes of landing him.  

Last season’s leading goalscorer Matej Vydra was another top target for Marcelo Bielsa‘s side heading into the new season, but that move also seems to have fallen through due to the club unwilling to match the Derby County striker’s wage demands.  

So, the news that Bamford is close to completing his transfer to Elland Road comes as a great boost for the Whites.

The 24-year old’s career has somewhat stalled in recent years after he was tipped as the next big thing to come out of Chelsea’s youth setup not very long ago.

After a series of loan spells at MK Dons, Derby County, Crystal Palace, Norwich City, Bamford joined Boro in a permanent deal in January 2017.  

This is the forward’s second stint at the Riverside, having spent the 2014/15 season on loan with the club. Across the two spells, Bamford has made 97 appearances for the Teesside outfit, netting 33 goals and setting up 8.

The 24-year old had a decent enough campaign last time out, as he bagged 11 goals in 39 Championship games, playing a hand in Tony Pulis’ side finishing in the playoff spots.  

A versatile forward who can play anywhere in the attacking third, be it as a centre-forward, on the flanks or in the hole behind the striker, Bamford brings with him an immense technical ability and tactical nous.

A quality finisher with pace to burn, the 24-year-old can create opportunities for his teammates as well and with his smart movement and intelligent link-up play, he can prove to be a great asset for Leeds, given the type of football that they are likely to play under new manager Bielsa.

Read More: This 21-goal Championship star could be the answer to Leeds United’s left-back woes

With experience at this level and his best years still well ahead of him, the £10m that Leeds are set to invest in Bamford could reap them great rewards in the years to come.