Forget Michy Batshuayi - Leeds United must take advantage of Southampton situation: View | OneFootball

Forget Michy Batshuayi - Leeds United must take advantage of Southampton situation: View | OneFootball

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·21 April 2024

Forget Michy Batshuayi - Leeds United must take advantage of Southampton situation: View

Article image:Forget Michy Batshuayi - Leeds United must take advantage of Southampton situation: View

With Leeds United vying for promotion back to the Premier League at the first time of asking, a goal-scoring striker like Michy Batshuayi or Che Adams would have been beneficial for their push for the top two.

The Whites are currently in third place in the Championship, sitting four points off Leicester City at the top of the table and two behind Ipswich Town, who currently occupy second.


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Southampton are also in the race, with Leeds nervously looking over their shoulder as the Saints sit in fourth, but after they lost 2-1 to Cardiff City on Saturday, there may be too much work for the Saints to do.

Whilst Leeds have scored a lot of goals already this season, they have scored the least out of the four promotion contenders - with Daniel Farke not having a consistent goal scorer at his disposal.

Patrick Bamford, Joel Piroe, Mateo Joseph and Joe Gelhardt have failed to be consistent this season, whether that be down to poor performances, or a lack of game time.

This has led to Leeds being rumoured with signing Fenerbahce's veteran Belgian striker Michy Batshuayi, and Southampton front-man Che Adams.

Michy Batshuayi and Che Adams would both be good strikers for Leeds

Article image:Forget Michy Batshuayi - Leeds United must take advantage of Southampton situation: View

Batshuayi and Adams have both been linked with moves to Elland Road this summer. According to Turkish outlet Aksam, Leeds are interested in signing Batshuayi in the summer if they are promoted, with the Belgian forward out of contract at the end of the season.

Meanwhile, TEAMtalk also claimed that Leeds, along with Premier League side Wolves, have taken an interest in Adams. Adams is also out of contract.

Both Batshuayi and Adams would make for good signings by Leeds for different reasons.

Batshuayi is currently playing for Turkish giants Fenerbahce and is having a good season, despite being only a backup player. He has scored 10 goals in 22 appearances in the Super Lig but has only started once, with Edin Dzeko preferred in a one-striker system.

The 30-year-old has a lot of experience across Europe and has previously played in the Premier League for Chelsea and Crystal Palace.

Adams meanwhile has been seen in more of a rotation role for Southampton, starting just 23 league games, but he has not been short of goals since dropping down from the Premier League, scoring 16 times in the second tier.

Scotland international Adams has a lot more experience in English football and has shown this season that his presence can be unsettling for defenders, with his link-up play and physicality making him a key part of the way Southampton play.

Che Adams may be the better option for Leeds United this summer

Article image:Forget Michy Batshuayi - Leeds United must take advantage of Southampton situation: View

Despite both Batshuayi and Adams displaying different qualities that make them good potential options for Leeds to sign, the latter would be the better option right now.

Batshuayi has failed to fully fire for Chelsea and Crystal Palace in the Premier League, and whilst Adams doesn't have a fantastic goalscoring record himself, he is still a few years the Belgian's junior.

With Adams playing in the Championship this season, and doing very well, he may also be beneficial for Leeds to have in case they get relegated at the first time of asking - Batshuayi isn't likely going to want to stick around for the second tier of English football.

Adams’ wages are also likely to be cheaper than Batshuayi’s - Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri claims that the latter is on £58,000 per week in Türkiye, whilst Capology estimates that Adams is earning around £30,000 with the Saints.

Whilst both are great options for the Whites, Adams is clearly the better option if Leeds get promoted to the Premier League.

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