Leeds United will 'definitely' target a new striker this summer to provide cover and competition for Patrick Bamford.
That's according to transfer insider Dean Jones, who was speaking to This Is Futbol.
The lowdown
Bamford enjoyed a fine 2020/21 season upon Leeds' return to the Premier League, scoring 17 goals, providing eight assists and - crucially - featuring in every single game (via Transfermarkt). However, this season he has been ravaged by injury, limiting him to just seven starts out of a possible 32 in the top flight.
An ankle injury kept Bamford out from the end of September until the start of December, and he then suffered a hamstring problem upon his return against Brentford. Having returned to the fold in March, he was forced off in the win away to Wolves and has missed the team's subsequent two games (via Transfermarkt).
Amidst these woes, Leeds have often turned to summer signing Dan James - who is predominantly a winger - to lead the line, and the Welshman has only scored four goals.
The latest
Jones has said that Leeds believe they need a more effective centre-forward 'backup' for Bamford and have made it a priority ahead of the summer transfer window.
He told This Is Futbol: "Leeds are definitely going to look to sign a new striker. I think irrelevant of whether Bamford is fit or not. We've seen that you have to have backup for him."
The verdict
Bamford's availability was excellent in 2020/21 but his injury nightmare this season has exposed a hole in Leeds' squad, so who could they potentially sign to strengthen their centre-forward ranks?
According to a recent report from TEAMtalk, the Whites have entered the race to sign Ben Brereton Diaz from Blackburn Rovers. The £9m-rated Chile international has been prolific for the Lancashire club in the Championship, bagging 20 goals in 34 appearances so far this season.
In addition to his goalscoring, the 22-year-old offers an 'extraordinary' work rate, according to his manager Tony Mowbray, so he could potentially be a favourite at Elland Road if he were to join Leeds and carry across that industrious trait.
In other news, Phil Hay has shared an update on this injured Leeds midfielder