‘Leeds turn attention to signing Everton star – I’ve seen the plan’
Everton striker Beto is on Leeds United’s shortlist of targets as they aim to strengthen Daniel Farke’s side ahead of their return to the Premier League.
That is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that the 27-year-old
However, there are doubts about whether he is the right man to consistently lead the line in the top tier as Leeds continue to eye multiple options.
Football Insider revealed in January that Everton were looking to sell Beto in a bid to raise funds which would be reinvested into the playing squad.
Since then, he has established himself as a regular starter under David Moyes and has started 13 of their last 15 league games in the absence of Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
His seven goals in those 13 stars have placed him firmly on Leeds’ radar, after Football Insider revealed Leeds are prioritising signing a striker in the window.
Beto and Jamie Vardy on Leeds United’s striker shortlist
Brown told Football Insider on 6 May that Leeds want to sign more than one striker this summer with Jamie Vardy also on their radar as he is set to leave Leicester.
The former scout, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, insisted Beto is one of the names on their list but is not their top target.
“Beto is a name I’ve seen that Leeds want,” he told Football Insider.
“Personally I don’t think he’s good enough to lead the line for them in the Premier League.
“But he’s on their list of targets and it will be up to them to decide whether he’s enough of an upgrade on the options they’ve got at the moment.
“It’s very difficult going from the Championship to the Premier League.
“They want to up the quality of their team in four or five positions, that’s always hard to do.
“But they have to be careful they’re not just taking cast-offs who aren’t good enough for other teams.
“Beto has Premier League experience and he’s been a regular under Moyes while Calvert-Lewin has been out, but he’s not the type of player you want to have to rely on.
“For Leeds, they’re looking for somebody who is going to score the goals to keep them in the Premier League, and I don’t think he’s good enough for that.”
Sam Johnstone update emerges at Elland Road
Alongside their ambitions of signing a new striker this summer, Farke’s side are also aiming to strengthen in goal amid concerns about Illan Meslier.
Brown told Football Insider last month that Leeds are interested in Wolves keeper Sam Johnstone, who would bring stability between the sticks.
Since his move to Wolves from Crystal Palace last summer, Johnstone has started just seven Premier League games and is now keen to move on in search of regular football.
More recently, Football Insider revealed on 9 May that Johnstone wants to leave Wolves in search of first-team football amid the interest from Elland Road.
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