According to the latest reports from Stoke Sentinel, Leeds United are interested in signing Southampton’s Sam Gallagher. The 23-year-old managed to play just 30 minutes in the Premier League last season, but the Whites feel that he could improve their squad for the upcoming campaign.
The Saints have reportedly given the green light to Gallagher to look for another team. Leeds United are currently keen, and the fact that Southampton aren’t standing in between the player means that the move can go through. The forward has his contract at the St. Mary’s until 2021.
Does Leeds United need a striker?
Gallagher has represented England at the u-20 level, but found chances few and far between in the Premier League. Leeds United struggled to score goals freely in the second half of the season as Kemar Roofe was out with injury and Patrick Bamford was underwhelming in his performances.
The Whites also have Tyler Roberts, who did a decent job up front when both Roofe and Bamford were out with injury. But one feels that the clubs would have done better with a more clinical striker up front.
Is Gallagher a good option?
The Englishman has the experience of playing in the Championship as he had loan spells with Blackburn Rovers and Birmingham City. The striker managed 17 goals and five assists in 89 appearances in the English second tier. Gallagher is a versatile forward as he can even play on the flanks. However, he is at his best when he is leading the line.
His numbers in the Championship might look underwhelming, but he played for a Blackburn side which got relegated to the League One that year. His seven goals in 34 appearances for Birmingham City made him their top scorer for the season. Therefore he shouldn’t be judged on those numbers alone as he often played in teams struggling to score goals.
Why should the club aim higher?
Gallagher seems to be a decent bet, but we don’t see him as an upgrade over Patrick Bamford or Tyler Roberts. The Whites should look to bring in a more proven striker for the next season. We saw how someone like Tammy Abraham was able to make a difference at Aston Villa, and United should also target a striker who will be the stand out option rather than just being someone with ”good potential”.
The forwards are often the matchwinners, and Leeds United suffered last season because they weren’t able to finish off moves. Therefore bringing another striker who is more or less at the same level as their current options don’t make sense.
