Largie Ramazani posts Patrick Bamford tribute in surprise message from Spain
Patrick Bamford and Largie Ramazani both face uncertain futures at Leeds United as they prepare for their Premier League return.
Daniel Farke’s side stormed to the Championship title last term with 100 points and 95 goals to their name, but Leeds have several areas to address in the transfer window in order to compete next season.
Lukas Nmecha’s arrival on a free transfer from Wolfsburg has already reinforced their options up front, but Farke and 49ers Enterprises have made clear that Leeds are willing to spend big on another striker.
Bamford was a firm third-choice up front at Elland Road last season and played a bit-part role at best, while Farke’s reluctance to rely on Ramazani could also result in Leeds adding reinforcements out wide.
Ramazani wears Bamford shirt ahead of Leeds return
Farke’s squad will return to Thorp Arch for pre-season training this month with at least two new additions in the form of Nmecha and centre-back Jaka Bijol, with Sebastiaan Bornauw also potentially on his way.
Jack Harrison is also back in the fold after two seasons away on loan at Everton, and he’ll provide further competition for Ramazani as the Belgian battles to establish a starting place in Farke’s side next season.
Ramazani’s six Championship goals and two assists last season came in just 783 minutes of action and a mere seven starts, but he’ll hope to replicate Bamford’s top-flight impact after Leeds’ last promotion.
At the Marbella Football Centre in Spain, Ramazani posted on his Instagram story (30 June) with a captionless photo of him crouched down in a full Leeds kit, and, surprisingly, one of Bamford’s number nine shirts.
Bamford and Ramazani both locked in Leeds battle
Football Insider Verdict
Although Ramazani’s strong output despite limited minutes last season is a positive sign ahead of Leeds’ Premier League campaign, Harrison’s return to LS11 could push him further down the pecking order.
Bamford has arguably dropped to fourth choice in Farke’s striking ranks already after Nmecha’s arrival, and Leeds chasing big-money deals for Rodrigo Muniz and Nikola Krstovic implies they aren’t done yet.
Leeds clearly want to make a statement with a new headline signing at number nine, and after a season which saw their current number nine score zero goals and barely feature, the writing is surely on the wall for Bamford.