Leeds United have been tipped to sign a striker from one of their Premier League rivals this week…
What’s the word?
Speaking to Football Insider, former top-flight goalscorer Kevin Phillips has claimed Elland Road is a “potential destination” for snubbed Liverpool forward Divock Origi in the upcoming window.
He said:
“I would imagine Origi will leave in January but if not it will definitely be the summer.
“It has been a tough year for him so far. He has not been used so much and when he has got his opportunities he looks rusty. He has not played enough football.
“I would not be surprised if he moves on in January and Leeds is definitely a potential destination.”
Another striker disaster
The Yorkshire giants do not have a good history when it comes to signing strikers under Victor Orta, that much was seen last term when neither Eddie Nketiah nor Jean-Kevin Augustin could do enough to convince Marcelo Bielsa.
Origi, while a Champions League cult hero at the Reds, would appear certain to follow suit.
In 92 Premier League appearances, he has only scored 19 times – that’s just shy of one goal every five games, which just isn’t good enough.
The Belgian striker has received plenty of glowing endorsements in the past, ranging from former City colossus Vincent Kompany dubbing him a “monster” to ex-Wolfsburg sporting director Olaf Rebbe lauding him as “dangerous.”
Even Phil Neville believes the 25-year-old has a “taste for the big games” but aside from that match against Barcelona, we’ve never seen him deliver in the top-flight.
With reported wages of £60k-per-week, it would be one almighty gamble for Victor Orta to make. In fact, it could be another Augustin-like disasterclass as there is no way any new striker is surpassing the goalscoring exploits of Patrick Bamford right now.
United should steer well clear of the £10m flop, even if Jurgen Klopp is willing to listen to offers for him. He’ll only be Nketiah 2.0 or even worse, another Augustin.
AND in other news, Leeds should look to cash in on “struggling” £47k-p/w flop…