Officials from Leeds United were reportedly closely monitoring one of their leading transfer targets at a recent pre-season friendly as their hunt for a striker continues.
Daniel Farke has overseen a promising pre-season campaign as Leeds United prepare to return to the Premier League.
The Whites have gone unbeaten, culminating in a battling 1-1 draw with AC Milan in which Anton Stach impressed at the heart of midfield.
However, Leeds need more firepower in attack and have been linked with a succession of strikers across the transfer window. Recent reports have suggested they were rejected by Andrea Pinamonti of Sassuolo.
With the new season rapidly approaching, reports in Italy have suggested that Leeds were keeping a close eye on the friendly between Everton and AS Roma, as leading target Artem Dovbyk took the field.
Artem Dovbyk in action during Roma v Cannes - Pre-Season Friendly
Photo by Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Leeds United officials watch Artem Dovbyk
According to a report in TMW, Leeds officials were in attendance at the new Hill Dickinson Stadium as Everton took on Roma in their final pre-season game.
Whilst Leeds officials may have been casting an eye over their first opponents of the new Premier League season, the Italian publication reports that they were also “closely monitoring” Dovbyk.
The report states: “On Saturday, a couple of emissaries from Leeds were at the Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool, closely monitoring the former Girona player,” before adding: “[Roma’s Director of Football] Frederic Massara is asking €32 million [£27 million] to sell Dovbyk.”
Farke has made no secret of his desire to strengthen his attacking options, and Leeds have also been linked with Juventus winger Nico Gonzalez in recent days.
With the new season now just days away, it appears that Leeds are edging closer to a decision on the final additions to their squad.
Artem Dovbyk controls the ball during AS Roma v Fiorentina - Serie A
Photo by Image Photo Agency/Getty Images
Roma star struggles to make an impression in front of Leeds officials
Although Roma claimed a 1-0 win over the Toffees, Dovbyk struggled to make his mark on a tight game in front of the watching Leeds officials.
Dovbyk started for Roma and played 80 minutes before being replaced by Roma’s Brighton loanee, Evan Ferguson.
Artem Dovbyk vs Everton Total
Minutes Played 80
Touches 23
Touches in Opposition Box 4
Total Shots 3
Shots on Target 1
The Ukraine international cut an isolated figure for Roma, with just 23 touches in total, four of which were in the opposition box, according to the match stats from FotMob.
He had three shots in total, with one on target, created one chance and was dispossessed with his only attempted dribble in a frustrating afternoon on Merseyside.