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Leeds United have been ‘linked’ with a move to sign Monaco striker Folarin Balogun this January, but it’s wildly unrealistic that he’s even on our radar.
As we head into the winter months, the same outlets are putting out the same sort of stories about Leeds being interested in this player, and having talks with that player.
Monaco and USMNT striker Folarin Balogun is the latest to be linked with a move to Elland Road. Unsurprisingly, he’s being linked with a lot of clubs. Late on deadline day, he was set for a £40million move to Everton until the Toffees pulled the plug at the 11th hour. That left Balogun to remain in France.
Now, he’s claimed to be someone Leeds are looking at. Except that’s not likely to be the case. Considering the asking price, and Robbie Evans’ very clear comments in September that we wouldn’t be signing a striker that competes with, or replaces Dominic Calvert-Lewin, this deal looks totally unrealistic.
So, you can basically ignore any links to someone that expensive without much thought.
Who could Leeds sign up front, though? Here, I look at three more realistic striker signings that Leeds could make in the January window…
Jovon Makama – Norwich City
In January, signings are often either for hugely inflated fees. Or, they are for players that aren’t in the best of form. It’s very hard to find someone who fits the profile of what Leeds need: a Calvert-Lewin understudy.
Norwich City’s Jovon Makama is someone I’ve banged on about for months. And his form last season leaves me without doubt that he’ll be a Premier League player before long.
He’s started this season with injury issues that have perhaps lowered his stock quite significantly. Fellow EFL bagman Will Lankshear is currently taking all the limelight.
However, the 22-year-old’s back amongst the goals with two from nine – granted not hugely prolific – scoring a screamer against Derby County.
Standing at a whopping 6ft5in, he’s the sort of striker Leeds need to supplement Calvert-Lewin. He’s likely to become a Premier League striker soon enough, and United could get ahead of the inevitable demand by going early in January, when everyone knows he’s perhaps not ready for guaranteed starts. See Jean-Matteo Bahoya for instance.
Winsley Boteli – Sion
Looking into Europe and again, it’s likely that we only looked at younger investments, based on Evans’ comments and how we brought Bahoya in.
So, 20-year-old Sion striker Winsley Boteli might be a more rogue shout that could save Leeds millions down the line. We all know we want a big spend on the attack next summer, but a smart investment into younger talent might just be worth fortunes in the long-term.
Boteli has been brought into Murat Yakin’s Switzerland senior squad for the second time this month, clearly catching the eye.
In 18 appearances for Sion this season, he’s bagged 13 goals and five assists. That includes a hattrick during Conference League qualifying against Ajax, despite his side being knocked out.
Signing players like Makama and Boteli from outside the supposed ‘big’ leagues does represent a risk, but in January, that might be worth doing to add more firepower.
Richarlison – Spurs
A rogue shout, I’m well aware.
Richarlison’s stock is at an all-time low currently after a failed exit from Spurs. He’s been completely frozen out of Roberto De Zerbi’s plans too, playing U21s football to keep him ticking over.
I’m not exactly selling this here. It’s a huge risk signing someone who will take time to get up to speed, but the Brazil international is clearly a good striker option if you can get him up to speed.
The familiarity of reuniting with former Everton strike partner Calvert-Lewin might help as well.
He wouldn’t be my first choice. But looking at Leeds’ only January signings under the 49ers, they were both loan deals for out-of-favour Premier League players: Connor Roberts (Burnley) and Facundo Buonanotte (Brighton).
Richarlison is one of those strikers that you absolutely despise when he’s playing against your team. He’s also one of those that I could see becoming popular in a Leeds shirt because of that.
