According to the reports from BBC, Leeds United have had their third bid rejected for Southampton’s striker Che Adams. The Whites proposed a loan deal with an option to buy him in the summer for £20m if they are promoted to the Premier League.
We are in the final week of the transfer window, and Leeds are still looking for a replacement for Eddie Nketiah. Adams has emerged as the primary target, but after the latest update, it seems like the Whites are unlikely to get their man.
However, things can move quickly in the last few days of the window so there must be some hope. Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhüttl has insisted that Adams is part of his plans and it seems like he is going to stick to his words even with a decent offer tabled by the Whites.
Why is £20m a decent offer?
Adams is yet to score for the Saints this season after his £15m move in the summer from Birmingham City. He has played second fiddle to the likes of Danny Ings and Shane Long. However, the Saints seemingly don’t want to lose him. The Premier League club stand to make a decent profit on the player as they signed Adams for £15m and without even performing on the pitch this season, United are willing to offer him £20m if they are promoted.
The Englishman will undoubtedly be a top signing for the Whites as he is a proven player at the Championship level. His work rate, pace and intensity upfront would suit Marcelo Bielsa well. United have lacked a killer instinct in front of goal of late, and Adams’ arrival might have changed that. The striker had managed 22 goals last season for a struggling Birmingham side. The Yorkshire outfit tends to create more chances and Adams would have surely bagged a handful of goals.
What now for Bielsa?
United and the management team needs to keep on looking in the transfer window to find a backup option to Bamford. The striker does a lot of things right in the build-up play, but he often fluffs his line in front of goal. Tyler Roberts has also been injured for most parts this season, and there is nobody really to add competition for places upfront.
Last season must be used as a lesson by the Whites as they missed out on promotion after not strengthening enough in the transfer window. The next few days could be crucial for United in terms of promotion. The £20m offer for Adams was a decent one, but it seems like it is not good enough to tempt the Saints. The club needs to look at other options now for the rest of the window as we can’t really expect them to top the £20m offer.
