Leeds United’s hope of signing Abel Hernandez is dwindling with every passing day and the Whites have turned their attention towards signing Lazio’s striker Felipe Caicedo. Reports from Italian media suggest that the striker is moving ‘closer and closer‘ to Elland Road.
The 29-year-old has experience of playing in the English top flight as he was with Manchester City from 2008-2011. He didn’t manage to break regularly in their first team and later moved on to join Lokomotiv Moscow. He managed four goals for Manchester City in his three-year stint which involved three loan spells as well at various clubs.
Last season for Lazio, he made 33 appearances in all competitions and managed to find the net just six times. Though, most of his appearances were from the substitute bench. The Italian outfit has transfer-listed him so it is very much expected that the Ecuadorian international will leave the club in the summer transfer window.
The player also prefers a move to England so this will come as a good news for the Peacocks. The team is in desperate need of a strike force who can score 15-20 odd goals a season and maybe Caicedo could be the man who can solve some of their goal-scoring woes.
However, the Whites faithful will prefer a move for someone like Abel Hernandez who is a younger and abler option to have upfront. However, with CSKA Moscow in the race to sign him and willing to offer him a weekly wage worth £40,000, the West Yorkshire outfit will find it tough to match.
Signing a striker or two will be right up in Bielsa’s list in the transfer market. Kemar Roofe was the top scorer for United last campaign in the Championship and he managed a tally of 11 goals. Apart from him, none of the other players managed to touch the 10 goal mark. Leeds finished 13th and were far away from challenging for a playoff spot. The team have holes in almost every area and a lot will be on Bielsa’s platter in the ongoing transfer period.
Caicedo has a bit of experience of English football so that will stand him in good stead in the Championship. He has good physical strength and aerial abilities so he will certainly be handy up front. However, his finishing skills are to be questioned as he often fluffs his line after getting into good positions. At the moment though, signing Caicedo will certainly be a decent piece of business from the Peacocks as they are desperately in need of a striker.
