Former Leeds United striker Noel Whelan believes that Michy Batshuayi could be a great signing for the Whites, with Marcelo Bielsa possibly getting the best out of him.

The Lowdown: Bamford backup required

Leeds could make additions across several positions this summer, with an additional striker an area which needs addressing.

Patrick Bamford has too often been the Whites' main source of goals, with no other player in the squad managing to reach double figures in the Premier League last season - Jack Harrison and Stuart Dallas were joint-second top scorers with eights goals apiece.

Batshuayi has been linked with a move to Leeds, with Chelsea keen to offload the Belgian striker following a stint on loan at Crystal Palace in 2020/21.

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The Latest: Whelan keen on Leeds signing Batshuayi

Speaking to Football Insider, Whelan claimed the Whites should take a punt on the 27-year-old, particularly as he played under Bielsa at Marseille. The ex-Leeds striker said:

"I think last season, there were rumblings about maybe getting him on loan as well.

"Sometimes, managers that have worked with players before, where it’s not worked out at other clubs for this particular player, I do believe that there’s a certain element of knowing that player.

"Knowing his character, having that trust in a player, that he can go and do a job. Also, knowing you can change the fortunes of that player in a certain league.

"Marcelo Bielsa’s improved everybody at Leeds United. Absolutely no shadow of a doubt about that one. Maybe he could do the same.

"There’s a player lying deep inside (Batshuayi) that we’ve not seen yet. Maybe Bielsa could bring the animal out."

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The Verdict: Talented, but a risk

Batshuayi has undoubted pedigree as a player, notching 22 goals in 34 appearances for Belgium and being hailed for his "incredible knack" of scoring by Chelsea legend Pat Nevin back in 2017.

Despite this praise, his career has gone stagnant in recent years - he only scored twice for Palace last season - so Leeds making a move for him could be deemed a risk.

If Bielsa believes he can get the best out of Batshuayi, the 27-year-old could be an excellent signing, but there is a niggling feeling that the Whites should look elsewhere for someone to provide competition for Bamford.

In other news, a journalist has dropped a big update on a key Leeds player's future. Find out who it is here.