Leeds United are in desperate need of adding some attacking quality in the next two weeks.
In the space of half a month, Leeds have lost 50 goal contributions out of their side from last season, with both Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter departing Elland Road.
Summerville was the first to make the move to West Ham United for £25 million, with Rutter set to follow him to the Premier League in a £40 million switch to Brighton.
Leeds had already been in the market for a new winger before Rutter’s exit, but Daniel Farke made it clear in his pre-West Brom press conference that another attacker is needed.
Ben Jacobs says Rutter leaving could see Leeds make an official offer for Jonathan Rowe, but Marseille is his preferred destination and other targets need to be looked at.
Tottenham new signing could hinder Leeds hopes of Manuel Benson deal
Providing Wilfried Gnonto stays, you would imagine he has that left-wing spot on lock. He showed last weekend how dangerous he can be in that position.
At least one of Leeds’ new attacking signings simply has to be a left-footed player who likes playing on the right, which is why it appears they have rekindled interest in Burnley’s Manuel Benson.
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Benson was a player of interest for Leeds in January but he instead opted to stay in Lancashire, a decision which ultimately back-fired given how little he played.
The 27-year-old was again an unused substitute at Luton Town on Monday and so there could be a possibility he wants to quit Turf Moor this month, and Leeds are among the clubs interested.
However, Leeds’ hopes of signing Benson may have just been dealt a blow with Burnley having sold Wilson Odobert to Tottenham Hotspur this morning.
Odobert was one of the wingers in front of Benson in the pecking order but with him gone, Burnley may not want to lose him, particularly given how good he was at this level last time.
Benson scored 11 goals in 33 appearances during Burnley’s last promotion season, and clearly could be a useful asset to replace Odobert, who scored in their 4-1 win at Kenilworth Road.
Leeds not the only Championship club selling
Though clearly this could impact Leeds’ hopes of signing Benson, Farke can take solace in the fact it is not only his side losing key players.
Odobert proved against Luton what a top player he could’ve been at this level, and despite the size of Burnley’s squad, there is no doubt this is a huge blow.
All of Leeds, Burnley and potentially even Sheffield United are at risk of losing players in the next two weeks, but the important thing for all three will be how they are replaced.
That said, it would be difficult to argue against the other two clubs being in a better position than Leeds right now.