The 1-1 friendly draw against AC Milan at Elland Road on Saturday highlighted the lack of attacking firepower in the Leeds United squad. The Whites need reinforcements in their final third if they are to try and survive in their first season back in the Premier League.
Daniel Farke’s side have looked solid during their pre-season preparations, and have had draws against Manchester United, Villarreal and AC Milan ahead of their first Premier League game of the season against Everton a week from Monday. However, they have looked bereft of ideas in the final third.
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The Leeds manager is insistent that without the required attacking reinforcements, the Leeds squad cannot be termed Premier League-ready, and the club are in the market for a striker, an attacking midfielder and a left-winger before the end of the window on September 1st.
Their pursuit of a striker has been more complicated as Leeds still believe that a deal is there to be done to sign Fulham’s Rodrigo Muniz, but the Cottagers are yet to indicate that they are ready to sell the Brazilian in the ongoing summer transfer window.
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Roma boss hints at the future of Leeds United target Artem Dovbyk
Artem Dovbyk was in England on Saturday and was involved in Roma’s 1-0 win over Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, and Roma coach Gian Piero Gasperini dropped a few hints about his future at the club.
The Roma boss insisted that it is false to suggest that he doesn’t like the Ukrainian striker and insisted that all Roma players have his attention as long as they are at the club.
He indicated that it is up to the players to produce the performances. Gasperini never clarified whether Dovbyk is part of his plans going forward.
“I read that I don’t like Dovbyk, but don’t write these things, because I never say that”, Gasperini was quoted as saying by Tutto Mercato.
“I like all Roma players while they’re at Roma, and I’ll give my all to work on them… You can then judge their performances.”
Leeds need a decision on their striker target soon
The Roma coach’s words provided little hint about Dovbyk’s future at the club, but indicated that the club would listen to suitable offers for him.
Roma are likely to sell if a club offer them a guaranteed fee of £25m as they have already signed Evan Ferguson on loan with an option to buy from Brighton.
Leeds need to decide whether they are prepared to go all in for Dovbyk, who has scored more than 40 goals in the last two seasons for Roma and Girona, respectively.
With little over three weeks left in the transfer window, the Whites need to sign a striker, and yesterday’s performance showed that they need one soon.
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