Sources: Leeds confident on centre-forward arrival amid Orta developments

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20 Jan 2020, 1:30 am

Leeds United are confident they will sign a centre-forward before the transfer window shuts this month, Football Insider understands.

The Yorkshire giants are exploring multiple avenues as they look to provide cover and competition for main man Patrick Bamford.

A Leeds source has told Football Insider that recruitment chief Victor Orta is "hammering the phone" trying to negotiate the arrival of a striker who will fit Marcelo Bielsa's playing style.

Orta has been charged with signing a senior forward, with United preferring either a straight loan or a loan with an option or obligation to buy in the summer.

Discussions continued to take place with agents over possible signings during the weekend as the director of football weighs up various options.

Southampton's Che Adams has long been the first choice of Leeds, as first revealed by Football Insider, but that is an increasingly long shot.

He was on the fringes of the team when United first expressed their interest but has been used more often by Ralph Hasenhuttl in recent weeks and the manager is insistent he remains for the rest of the season.

Newcastle United's Dwight Gayle has also been a leading target but he is set to be out until March with a hamstring injury.

Leeds have also enquired about the likes of Sheffield United's David McGoldrick and Hull City's Jarrod Bowen but neither club are willing to loan them out.

Watford would let Andre Gray go but United and his other suitors would have to pay a £2m loan fee and all of his £80,000-a-week wages.

Nevertheless, Leeds are confident they will get a senior forward in by the 31 January cut-off.

In other Leeds United news, it can be REVEALED that the club are holding talks with a young centre-forward as offer readied.

Leeds United