According to a Turkish newspaper, Aksam, as cited by Sport Witness, Leeds United are set to make a move for Cyle Larin this summer. The Besiktas forward has been linked with a move to Elland Road for quite some time now, following a promising loan spell at Zulte Waregem.
The report claims that Leeds United are expected to make an official bid of €2.2 million for the services of Larin. The offer could also be accepted by Besiktas, who are ready to offload the forward in the upcoming summer transfer window.
Leeds United’s offensive woes
Leeds United have been one of the best performing teams in the Championship this term. However, they have often been criticised for their lack of attacking output that could potentially haunt them in the Premier League.
Their leading striker Patrick Bamford, in particular, is not recognised as a reliable goalscoring forward. The ex-Chelsea starlet has netted only 13 goals in the ongoing campaign, which is considerably lower than other top attackers in the English second division. His more technical-oriented gameplay is also unlikely to help Leeds in top-flight football.
Another option is Jean-Kevin Augustin, who was signed from RB Leipzig in January. However, the Frenchman is facing an uncertain future at the club after struggling with a hamstring injury for the most part of his ongoing spell at Elland Road. He has, in fact, featured in only three league matches.
Also, the forward recently suffered another injury that could potentially derail his return to the pitch. Hence, Leeds United are in desperate need of new faces in the offensive department this summer.
Here’s why Cyle Larin could be a useful buy
Larin is not the most accomplished striker in football. But, he has enjoyed a terrific 2019/20 campaign with Zulte Waregem, scoring nine goals and providing 11 assists in just 33 competitive matches. His contributions in the final third helped his club finish the season in mid-table.
What makes Larin such an appealing target for Leeds is his all-round gameplay. Unlike Bamford, the Canadian international is blessed with the physical and aerial prowess that gives him a considerable advantage in duels. His aggressive nature also makes him a tailor-made fit in the Premier League.
The 25-year-old, therefore, can be used as an ideal target man in Marcelo Bielsa’s setup, with the likes of Jack Harrison and Helder Costa providing support from wider areas of the pitch. Larin, aside from his physical attributes, also has the positional sense to get into scoring positions that should give a massive boost to the club’s overall productivity.
Moreover, Larin’s valuation of just €2.2 million is an absolute bargain for a player who has emerged as one of the best performers in the recently concluded Belgian top flight.
