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2 Brereton Diaz alternatives Leeds United should be looking at as reports of blow emerge

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Leeds United look to have fallen behind in the race to sign Blackburn Rovers’ Ben Brereton Diaz, with Sevilla currently edging the pursuit.

The Whites are in need of a striker as we head towards the January window, with Rodrigo and Patrick Bamford showing examples of why fresh investment is needed.

Injuries and poor form in front of goal have outlined that it’s something the club need to resolve, and reported transfer target Ben Brereton Diaz might be an unlikely one now.

The Blackburn Rovers striker is reported by Football Insider to be chased by La Liga side Sevilla, who would be able to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with Brereton Diaz from January onwards, bypassing offers to his club, like Leeds would have to.

Here, we look at two alternatives Leeds need to consider as this blow emerges with the Chilean…

Noah Okafor

A similar sort of player to Brereton Diaz could be viable, and Noah Okafor falls into that category of being a striker by trade, but more than happy to take his influence out wide, creating chances from the left very often.

Calciomercato reported earlier in the season that Leeds were one of the sides monitoring the Red Bull Salzburg striker, who has played under Jesse Marsch previously, and would be a good fit for what his system demands.

Three goals in the Champions League have shown his quality inside the penalty area, with a brilliant solo goal against AC Milan, and one latching onto a cross against Chelsea and dispatching stylishly to earn points in both games.

If Leeds are looking down the route that Brereton Diaz offers, Okafor is younger and perhaps a higher calibre version, given he’s playing in Europe and doing well.

Do Leeds still need a striker going forward?

Yes

Yes

No

No

Georginio Rutter

Bamford’s influence as an out-and-out number nine highlights the need for Leeds to have a new option that can operate as a real focal point.

Young French striker Georginio Rutter is impressing since joining Hoffenheim in 2021, where he has taken to the vertical style of football in Germany very well, offering great energy up front.

At just 20 and playing in the top-flight regularly, he’s not a striker that would come cheap, with his current deal until 2026.

However, there aren’t a great deal of strikers out there that present similar sorts of work-ethic out there as Bamford, while being a smart investment for the future.

Rutter has yet to find a completely prolific goalscoring touch, scoring eight last season while having one goal and three assists this term in all competitions.

His link up, though, demonstrates a player that can provide just as much as we need them to.

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Leeds United season ticket holder since 2013/14, currently situated in the middle of the FA5 noise. From Pablo Hernandez to 5-1 drubbings, I've seen it all at Elland Road.