Report: Leeds step up pursuit of key striker target, told he has £2m price tag

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Published on:

15 Jun 2016, 7:18 am

By Alex Stevens

Leeds will have to pay a fee of up to £2million to sign key summer target Kemar Roofe, according to a report.

The Oxford striker has attracted the attention of numerous second-tier clubs on the back of a campaign in which his prolific forward play spearheaded his team's promotion to League One and earned him League Two’s player-of-the-year award.

As reported by Football Insider, Leeds are one of the teams closely monitoring Roofe with a view to financing a summer transfer to Elland Road.

The Yorkshire Evening Post claim Oxford value Roofe at between £1.5million and £2million, with the League One outfit committed to securing a substantial fee by a large sell-on clause secured by his old club West Brom.

The 23-year-old former Hawthorns trainee finished the 2015-16 season with 25 goals and 12 assists in all competitions, including 17 goals in 40 league appearances.

Former Leeds defender Michael Duberry is convinced Roofe has all the qualities to be an instant hit in the Championship, even at a club with the unique pressures of Leeds.

Walsall-born Roofe signed his first professional contract with West Brom in 2012, but failed to break into the first team and after a series of loans he was sold to Oxford for an undisclosed fee last summer. It is reported that a substantial sell-on clause to the Midlands club was inserted into the agreement.

Previously, Oxford chairman Darryl Eales told The Oxford Mail that a number of Championship sides were interested and he wouldn't stand in the strikers way of a move.

The U’s owner told the paper: “I hear beyond gossip there are four or five Championship sides in for Kemar.

“I’m trying to be realistic. I would love to keep him, but it’s not my decision – that has to be Kemar’s.

“What I would never do is stand in the way of a player’s career development."

Leeds are currently looking to bolster their squad under the command of new manager Garry Monk after he replaced Steve Evans a fortnight ago.

Following their 13th place finish in the 2015-16 campaign, Leeds have set their sights firmly on a play-off spot in the Championship next season.

In other Leeds news, a quartet have agreed new deals to stay at Elland Road.

Leeds United

Kemar Roofe