Leicester City must swerve Leeds United transfer - it has to be early Danny Rohl call | OneFootball

Leicester City and prospective new manager Danny Rohl must avoid making a move to sign Sam Greenwood from Leeds United

Leicester City and prospective new manager Danny Rohl must avoid making a move to sign Sam Greenwood from Leeds United, with the 23-year-old forward being touted as a potential Jamie Vardy replacement.

According to Football Insider, the Foxes have Greenwood among their options after Vardy announced he would be departing the East Midlands outfit upon the expiration of his contract.

Leeds United's position on Greenwood couldn't be clearer - they're actively seeking to offload him this summer, with reports saying that they want a fee in the region of £3m-£4m for the player.

The fact that Daniel Farke's promoted Leeds side considers him surplus to requirements should serve as a major red flag for Leicester - but Greenwood hasn't exactly pulled up trumps during his two-loan spells in the second tier, with Middlesbrough and Preston North End.

Damning evidence that must put off Leicester City signing Sam Greenwood

Stats do paint a troubling picture of Greenwood's time in the Championship. During his loan spell at Middlesbrough in the 2023/24 season, the forward managed just five goals and three assists in 38 appearances.

What's particularly concerning is how his form collapsed after Christmas for the Teesside club - having scored four goals in his first 12, Greenwood failed to find the net in any of his subsequent 12 matches.

His time at Preston North End told a remarkably similar story.

Despite making 45 appearances across all competitions and scoring seven goals with three assists, Greenwood's contribution again faded dramatically in the second half of the season.

The pattern of strong starts followed by concerning drop-offs suggesrs a player who struggles with the physical and mental demands of a full second-tier season.

Perhaps most tellingly, neither Boro or PNE opted to trigger their purchase options - despite both clubs having the opportunity to make Greenwood's moves permanent.

Leicester City's transfer priorities should demand better, Rohl can make the call

Leicester City's relegation has left them in need of a big rebuild, and PSR concerns are not a major concern for them now, so the potential Greenwood pursuit is a little puzzling.

The club's recent transfer history shows a concerning pattern of investing in players who fail to deliver. Their strategy of targeting players that will "do a job for the team" sounds eerily similar to the type of thinking that contributed to their top-flight relegation in the first place.

Former Manchester United scout Mick Brown may believe Greenwood would benefit from signing for Leicester, but the earlier evidence suggests this would be a backward step for a club who would hope to bounce straight back up.

Danny Rohl's experience should inform Leicester's transfer strategy - should he be appointed as the new boss. Greenwood's track record at both Boro and Preston shows he lacks the application required for consistent Championship success.

The German orchestrated one of the division's greatest escapes, taking Sheffield Wednesday from ten points adrift of safety to survival - an achievement that was built on signing players who could handle pressure, and Greenwood hasn't proved he can consistently do that yet.