An update has emerged on Leeds United and their plans to bolster their options at the top end of the pitch in the summer transfer window…
What’s the latest on Moussa Dembele to Leeds?
According to Football Insider, the Whites are eyeing a deal to sign Moussa Dembele from Ligue 1 side Lyon at the end of the campaign as Victor Orta hopes to land the 26-year-old for nothing.
The report claims that the club are ‘well placed’ to sign the French centre-forward and are ahead of Premier League rivals Southampton in the race for his signature.
It is stated that the former Fulham marksman is set to make a return to England this summer when his contract with Lyon expires and Leeds are seemingly in pole position to snap him up if they avoid relegation.
Patrick Bamford upgrade
Orta could land the next Leeds boss a big upgrade on current centre-forward Patrick Bamford by sealing a deal to sign Dembele on a free transfer.
The English striker has scored three goals in 25 appearances in the Premier League since the start of last season and the Whites could be looking to improve upon that output by bringing in a replacement for him in the summer.
One goal every eight games in the top flight is a hugely disappointing return, given that it results in four or five goals over the course of a campaign, and Dembele could offer more quality in the final third.
The £70k-per-week gem, who was once dubbed “unplayable” and a “joy to watch” by ex-teammate Leigh Griffiths, has produced 24 goals in 47 Ligue 1 outings for Lyon since the start of 2021/22 – a strike every 1.96 games on average.
These statistics show that the ex-Celtic man has been clinical in his home country and has proven himself to be a reliable goalscorer in a major European league, whilst he also has experience in England after scoring 15 times in the 2015/16 Championship campaign for Fulham.
Dembele created six ‘big chances’ and assisted four goals in Ligue 1 in 2021/22, whilst Bamford has produced just three ‘big chances’ since the start of last term in the Premier League, a statistic that shows the forward can also be a creator to go along with his scoring ability.
He is also three years younger than the Leeds attacker with that an indication that he could have a longer-term impact at the club, rather than being a player who is about to head into his 30s.
The Lyon star has only missed 12 games through injury in the last 18 months and this indicates that he would be far more reliable in his availability than Bamford, who was absent for 31 matches since the start of 2021/22.
Therefore, Orta could improve the club’s options in the number nine position by beating Southampton to the Frenchman’s signature this summer.
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