Leeds United have been in the market for a centre-forward this month, but the one of the latest big-money moves that they’ve been linked with is for a winger.
Indeed, The Sun have reported that the Whites are eyeing up a move for Hull City’s Jarrod Bowen.
Splashing the cash on a wide player may seem strange when Leeds are so desperate for a striker after Eddie Nketiah’s recall, but his WhoScored stats from Championship games show that he may be better than any number nine the Whites could possibly target this month.
For a start, Bowen is the third-highest scorer in the division so far this season.
He’s not a one-hit-wonder either as he netted 22 goals last term as well – that’s as many as Leeds’ reported number one striker target Che Adams hit last year.
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It’s not just goals that he brings to the team either. He’s a great creator despite only averaging 1.3 key passes per game, racking up six assists already this term – more than he achieved in 2018/19. That tally takes his goal involvements to a considerable 22 this campaign alone.
He’s often getting into shooting positions despite playing out wide as he averages 3.5 shots per game, and his goal tally tells you how prolific he is when he gets a sight at goal.
Yes, United could do with a striker, but realistically are they going to find one who provides as much in attack as Bowen does from the wing? It’s highly unlikely.
Perhaps signing Bowen will negate the need for Leeds to find a Nketiah replacement. The young Arsenal forward started just twice in the league when on loan and he never really got going, finding the net five times.
Bowen, however, certainly provides more firepower than not only Nketiah, but also most top-end strikers at this level. Although Leeds need to ensure their business sense doesn’t go out the window with the structure of a potential £15m deal, he’d be an astute acquisition for anyone in the Championship.
In other news, Leeds may be well-prepared for one departure if they can land this signing.