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Report: Leeds United considering swoop for Newcastle United outcast

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It’s been reported that Leeds United are interested in signing Chris Wood from Newcastle United.

Leeds sold Wood to Burnley back in the summer of 2017 after a campaign that had seen the New Zealand international score 30 goals in the Championship.

Wood served at Burnley for four-and-a-half years before moving to Newcastle earlier in 2022 as Eddie Howe rebuilt to secure the Magpies’ place in the Premier League.

Wood, now 30, scored twice in 17 appearances during the final months of 2021/22, but has significantly fallen out of favour in the current campaign.

The striker has made just two starts for Newcastle in the Premier League this season, with a further 12 appearances coming from the bench. He’s scored one goal in the league and added a further strike in the EFL Cup.

Football Insider are reporting that Leeds, who are in the market for a forward, are considering a loan move for Wood. It’s not clear if Newcastle would be open to that agreement if they can’t bring in a replacement.

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This would be a really surprising move for Leeds to make this January.

Wood is 30 now and not really in the type of age bracket Leeds usually look to deal in. They often target those players with sell-on value, which the Newcastle man certainly doesn’t have.

In terms of his goal record, Wood has scored plenty in the Premier League, hitting double figures in four of his five campaigns at the level, so you can see the sense in Leeds looking at a proven player.

Whilst Leeds need that ready-to-go option, with Rodrigo and Patrick Bamford a year either side of 30 and Joe Gelhardt 20-years-old, it makes sense to find a player somewhere in the middle of that, 24/25 with a bit of sell-on value but enough about them to hit the ground running.

Would Chris Wood be a good signing?

Yes

Yes

No

No

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Leeds United Season Ticket Holder at Elland Road for over 20 seasons. Currently nestled in N12, but occasionally offering views from the press box. We’ve been through it all together? You bet.