As per one of the latest reports by Leeds Live, Leeds United are keen to land Swansea City’s striker, Oliver McBurnie, to the Elland Road in the summer. Leeds United’s manager, Paul Heckingbottom rates him very highly and has put him on his radar for the upcoming summer transfer window to beef up his attacking arsenal.
McBurnie emerged through the youth ranks of the Whites and Bradford City and was eventually promoted to the senior side of the latter. During his time in the books of the Bantams, he sent out on loan to Chester twice before he was lured by Swansea City to their ranks. However, he struggled to engineer first-team opportunities under his belts with the Swans.
Subsequent loan spells with Newport County and Bristol Rovers hardly helped him in elevating his stature but after his loan move to Barnsley in the January transfer window of 2018, he has certainly started to get a lot of recognition. In 14 appearances in the Championship, the 21-year-old has garnered 8 goals and has received positive reviews from the football fraternity owing to the clinical abilities he has shown up front.
Capable of plying his trade as a centre-forward as well as a winger, McBurnie is a decent youngster with lots of potential. He loves to dribble and frequently tests oppositions’ goalkeepers from close quarters as well as from long ranges. After his move to the armoury of the Tykes, he has showcased immense work-ethic in the final third and has seemingly appeared to have thrived with predatory instincts.
However, there is no denying that he is far from being a finished article and he certainly needs to work on his passes and crosses. Moreover, he has to hold the ball better than he has this season and has to link up with his teammates adequately to become a notable attacker. Nonetheless, teams such as Leeds United are monitoring him and that might tempt the starlet in polishing himself further.
The Peacocks have had a forgettable season in the English second division and must make proper use of the summer transfer window. Under the tutelage of Heckingbottom, the players haven’t clicked nicely and thus, the former Barnsley manager needs to make some ramifications in the summer. The striking department has been one of the major areas of concern for Leeds United and bringing in someone like McBurnie would be a good option for the club.
Statistics Credits: WhoScored
