Leeds United target Matej Vydra has asked (Lancs Live) Burnley to let him go in this summer transfer market as he is keen on playing first-team football. The Yorkshire outfit have been credited with an interest, but no formal approach has been made yet. The 27-year-old managed to make just three starts in the Premier League last season.
Burnley signed him before the 2018-19 season for £11m after the forward finished as the top scorer in the Championship. However, Ashley Barnes and Chris Wood have been consistent performers for the Clarets, and Vydra has only managed to play a minimal role.
Why Leeds United need a striker?
Kemar Roofe is on the verge of completing a move to Anderlecht, and he is having a medical with them according to Phil Hay. Some reports claim that he is close to joining Belgian outfit for £7m. Given that he is already in the final year of his contract, the Whites would do well to extract that kind of sum for the striker.
However, one cannot ignore the void left by the English forward as he emerged as an integral player since Marcelo Bielsa took over at Leeds. Roofe even finished last season’s top scorer for the Whites.
The club missed out on promotion primarily due to their inefficiency in front of goal. Roofe’s form in the second half of the season dwindled after injury issues. Patrick Bamford failed to provide that goal-scoring threat which could have seen Leeds United move up a division. Therefore there is no doubt that United will look to sign a striker if Roofe departs.
Does Vydra fit the bill?
The Czech striker is a proven quantity at the Championship level, and with little to no time remaining in the transfer window, he could be the man Bielsa goes after. He is unlikely to come in cheap as Burnley will most probably try to recoup most of the £11m they paid for him just last year. Leeds United should have funds to play with if the sale of Roofe goes through for £7m.
The 27-year-old has a decent pace, and he is a mobile and agile striker who would suit Bielsa. Vydra is known for his ability to find himself in space, and his finishing is also on point more often than not. The striker is also able to link up play well, and he could be the man to fire Leeds United to the Premier League. With just a few days remaining in the transfer window, the Whites need to move in quick if they want to get their man.
