In a summer where recruitment is having to focus as much on quantity as it is on quality, Leeds United face a difficult task of having to rebuild the squad to make it ready for the Premier League. The Whites don't need to tweak things here or there, or add an injection of quality into a solitary position or role in the team - they need additions right across the park.
There is only a finite amount of money to spend and not just because of Profit and Sustainability rules, so being smart with recruitment when needing so many new signings is crucial. It means players who can sign as free agents are very attractive, providing wages can be agreed at a rate that will not break the bank or cause friction among the squad.
It is why players like Jamie Vardy are an obvious attraction to Leeds. It's also why the Whites are keen on Newcastle United's former England striker Callum Wilson. As we reported yesterday, Newcastle have decided to not take up the option in Wilson's contract to extend his stay at St. James' Park, but have instead opened talks on a new deal that would be incentivised based on appearances.
The issue there for the 33-year-old, is his appearances have become more limited in recent times. For Newcastle, the chance to keep the experienced player around to provide cover and a chance to rest their main man Alexander Isak in the early rounds of the cup competitions now they are in the Champions League, is an attraction.
Wilson has already shown in his comments this season that he wants more than that and wants to play games. He has made 129 appearances [for the Magpies since joining the club from Bournemouth](https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/sport/leeds-united/leeds-united-transfer-red-alert-31723230), scoring 49 goals in a black and white shirt. The chances of moving on are likely, but is Wilson what Leeds need? A quick glance at his record this season would suggest not.
In 18 Premier League games this season he scored zero goals. It's hardly a record to excite Leeds supporters, especially in a team that was not struggling to find the back of the net. However, the stats don't tell the full story.
Of those 18 games, Wilson started just two matches for Newcastle, with the majority of his appearances seeing him introduced later than the 75th minute and on a handful of occasions with just a few minutes of the match remaining. In total Wilson played just 357 minutes across the league season, that's just short of four full games. So to judge his scoring record is beyond harsh.
What we can judge on is previous seasons. Wilson's record previously suggests he is everything Leeds need this summer. A player who knows where the goal is, who works hard across the front line, boasts bags of experience, a desire to prove himself all over again and one who will come without having to pay a large transfer fee. It's easy to see why Leeds are interested in speaking to the player.
It's also easy to see why Newcastle want to keep hold of him. And when you're targeting a player at a Champions League club, who said club want to keep hold of, that suggests you're shopping in the right market!
That's not to say I think signing Wilson is the answer to Leeds' forward conundrum. It would be merely another piece of the jigsaw, but they still need to find the main piece to fit in up top if they are to stay up.