Patrick Bamford set for Leeds United exit - Leicester City, Norwich City and Ipswich Town should swoop ASAP | OneFootball

This Championship trio should swoop for the outgoing Leeds United striker

Patrick Bamford could be set to exit Leeds United after seven years at the club.

Whites' manager Daniel Farke recently revealed that he has informed the 31-year-old that he’s no longer part of his plans for next season and that the striker will have to train with the U21 squad if he remains at Elland Road.

Bamford has made 205 appearances for the Whites since joining from Middlesbrough in 2018 and was involved in two Championship title-winning campaigns.

The Chelsea academy product was prolific in the Premier League under Marcelo Bielsa during the 2020/21 season, netting 17 times, but Farke no longer believes Bamford has what it takes to operate out of the top-flight.

With all signs now pointing towards his Leeds United departure, Football League World have highlighted three Championship clubs that should be eyeing up a move for Bamford this summer.

Leicester City

Patrick Bamford has struggled with injury issues over the past few campaigns, which hasn’t allowed him to contribute sufficiently to Leeds United’s promotion bids.

However, when allowed to operate consistently in the past, the forward has proven himself capable of spearheading a competitive Premier League frontline.

That’s the level Leicester City will be aiming to get back to come May 2026 and adding Bamford to their frontline could prove to be a wise addition.

Having lost an experienced attacker in the form of Jamie Vardy, it makes sense to recruit another marksman who has featured extensively in the EFL.

Bamford would be able to combine with Abdul Fatawu and Stephy Mavididi to forge chances for one and other, with his ability to hold up play and provide an important part of his game.

He wouldn’t be short of service too, with midfielders such as Harry Winks pulling the strings.

The 31-year-old has been part of a dressing room that recently secured the Championship title and alongside his previous goalscoring credentials, he would be a solid purchase for Leicester at the right price.

Norwich City

Norwich City have much to be excited about ahead of the new campaign, with a new manager in the form of Liam Manning and some promising new additions such as Mathias Kvistgaarden, Vladan Kovačević and Jakov Medic.

However, Josh Sargent looks set to join Borja Sainz in exiting Carrow Road this summer, which would leave the Canaries without their main source of goals from last term.

Although Kvistgaarden has been acquired to counteract that, the 23-year-old is unproven in English football which makes Bamford a sensible purchase.

He would bring an experienced head to Norwich’s striker department and help Kvistgaarden acclimatise to the Championship.

The 31-year-old can still also provide a lethal goal threat himself when fit, netting eight times in 33 appearances during the 2023/24 campaign.

Manning currently has a lot of young heads in his dressing room, especially in the final third, with Onel Hernández the only forward above the age of 23, when leaving Sargent out of the equation.

Therefore, signing Bamford would inject a healthy portion of experience into the side, which will be crucial across 46 matches.

The striker would also be returning to somewhat familiar surroundings after enjoying a brief loan spell at Carrow Road during the 2015/16 campaign.

Ipswich Town

Another side that will be vying to reclaim their Premier League status, Ipswich Town are currently short in forward areas.

Since Liam Delap’s departure, the Tractor Boys have failed to replace their former talisman, with Ali Al Hamadi and George Hirst not thought of as likely candidates to lead the line at Portman Road next term.

Farke recently spoke on how Bamford needs to feel like the “main man” to get the best out of him, which is a risk Kieran McKenna and Co. could take this summer.

He would be a relatively inexpensive gamble and would hand Ipswich a clear replacement for Delap.

With forwards such as Jaden Philogene, Jack Clarke and Sammie Szmodics providing options to combine with, Bamford would have a brilliant platform to return to his best.

His creative talent would also allow the other attackers in the fold to thrive, boosting the squad’s overall output.

If McKenna could reignite Bamford’s confidence and keep him fit, the Tractor Boys would have a dangerous goalscoring asset on their hands.