A new striker is high on Leeds United’s priorities this summer with The 49ers are clearly in need of a player that can fire Daniel Farke’s side towards Premier League safety.
Joel Piroe remains first choice at Elland Road but his tally of 19 goals last season hardly convinced, given he went nine games without a goal before his incredible four against Stoke City during the 6-0 victory.
If Piroe is renowned for going missing in games, Patrick Bamford is known for his injuries. Bamford had been expected to leave and could still do so, but Bamford’s recent comments suggest he will stay put.
Mateo Joseph’s future is also up in the air with Real Betis lurking, the Spanish side having already nabbed Marc Roca and Diego Llorente from Leeds while Junior Firpo is said to be ‘close’ to a return to Betis.
Leeds set to make first transfer bid of the summer window
In terms of priorities when it comes to the summer then, a striker is right up there. Everton forward Beto, veteran Jamie Vardy and plenty of others have been touted with a move to Elland Road this summer.
Another, slightly left-field option is Besiktas youngster Semih Kilicsoy. Reports said a Leeds delegation were due to fly to Istanbul to negotiate a deal for Kilicsoy, and now Fotospor have an update on Kilicsoy.
The Turkish outlet claim that Leeds are due to make a bid for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s young talent in the ‘coming days’. It looks as if then, Leeds are about to make their first reported transfer bid of the summer.
Semih Kilicsoy is something Leeds United simply do not have
Back in the days of 4-4-2, perhaps 20 or 30 years ago, if a striker was not getting into the team as a striker – they would be pushed out wide. Just ask Alan Smith or Michael Bridges during their time at Elland Road.
But it seems to have disappeared from the game. Kilicsoy is a throwback to that, something Leeds don’t really have in the current squad – Dan James and Willy Gnonto can play up top, but lack any height.
Kilicsoy is naturally a striker that can play out wide. He has the speed of a winger, but the physicality of a striker. At 19, he is raw but there is Premier League potential in Kilicsoy and Leeds can take advantage.
