Daniel Farke, Nikola Krstovic
Daniel Farke, Nikola Krstovic
Leeds United look set to potentially win the race to sign Lecce striker Nikola Krstović this summer.
Krstović notched 11 goals in the Serie A last season, and that has alerted the likes of Roma and AC Milan, who have both been credited with an interest in the Montenegrin.
However, it is Leeds who are understood to be leading the race for Krstovic’s signature, with the Whites believed to be growing ever closer to securing a deal to bring the 25-year-old to England.
Leeds have been quiet in the transfer market so far following their promotion from the Championship, but their Krstović chase could mark the start of some decisive transfer moves in West Yorkshire.
Daniel Farke
Farke’s side are leading the race to sign Krstović (Credit: Imago)
Krstović concern raised ahead of likely Elland Road move
A striker has been high on the list of priorities for Leeds this summer, but there are a few red flags when it comes to Krstović.
The former Red Star Belgrade man toiled away for a Lecce side that struggled badly last season, and ultimately only narrowly beat the drop.
However, he possesses a Serie A goal record that is hardly prolific, and that is something that immediately stands out on his CV.
As the forward nears a switch to Elland Road, Kaustubh Pandey, editor-in-chief of Get Italian Football News, has raised a concern surrounding Krstović.
Speaking exclusively to MOT Leeds News, the Serie A expert said: “One thing about him (Krstović) that has always stood out is his underperformance on xG.
“That is largely because he is a volume shooter at a club which had limited attacking options. Lecce had a pretty unimpressive attack throughout last season, and a lot of the burden fell on Krstović to make things work.”
However, Pandey also feels that Farke’s more expansive style of play could help Krstović to take his game to the next level.
“That burden was a bit unfair on him because he loves getting shots away if he has a sniff of goal. The transition into a different setup at Leeds will help him as he will get a lot of freedom to get shots away closer to goal.”
Nikola Krstovic
Krstović doesn’t have a prolific record in front of goal (Credit: Serie A)
Leeds need another option to Krstović
If the Whites do get a deal over the line to bring Krstović to Elland Road, they will likely also need to add another option to cover for any issues the new man may encounter.
While an underperformance of his xG by five goals across his two seasons in Serie A certainly isn’t disastrous, it is enough to spark reasonable concern about the quality of his finishing.
In the Premier League, there is even less time and space afforded to strikers, and if Krstović isn’t capable of finishing with quality and an instinctive nature, then he may find goals hard to come by.
With that in mind, Farke would surely be tempted to try and add another forward to his ranks who could bring a little more proven goal threat in the Premier League.
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