Erling Haaland cited as Leeds United told to complete striker signing after source’s reveal
Frank McAvennie is worried Leeds United have not learned their lessons over Patrick Bamford’s injury problems.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former West Ham striker said Leeds should have signed another centre-forward during Bamford’s first spell on the sidelines when Marcelo Bielsa was in charge.
On 4 January, sources told this site that the 29-year-old is facing an extended spell on the sidelines as he continues to struggle with his recovery from a hernia operation.
The striker has not played since the end of October and underwent groin surgery during the World Cup break in the hope that he would be fit for the Premier League restart.
But Bamford has suffered a new setback and could be facing a longer spell out than expected.
The striker has suffered numerous injury problems since September 2021 and has made just 11 starts for the Whites since the 2021-22 season.
20-year-old Joe Gelhardt is Jesse Marsch’s only other out-and-out centre-forward, although Football Insider revealed on Saturday the club have opened preliminary talks on a new front man.
McAvennie urged Leeds to sign another striker this time round.
“They made a mistake not buying a centre-forward when he got injured the first time,” he told Football Insider.
“Bielsa did not buy a striker. Putting the ball in the back of the net is the hardest thing in football. You can see it when Bamford is out, people are not scoring goals.
“I think they have got to go and buy a centre-forward that can bring other players into it and score goals. I look at [Erling] Haaland and he does that. Leeds can’t make the same mistake they did last time and not bring in a centre-forward.“
In other news, Whelan has issued ‘big’ Jack Harrison claim as Leeds star set for axe.