Pundit issues Leeds-Bamford claim after £10m-plus confirmed transfer news
Alan Hutton has insisted Leeds United are “dicing with death” by not strengthening the squad ahead of Monday’s transfer deadline.
The former Scotland defender, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, suggested the Whites could get drawn back into the relegation battle without cover for Patrick Bamford.
Writing in his programme notes last Saturday, as relayed by the Yorkshire Evening Post (22 January), club chief Angus Kinnear revealed it would take an “eight-figure investment” – £10million-plus – to bolster the squad this month.
He insisted players available this month “would not be a material improvement on the current performances of emerging players”.
However, Hutton suggested overpaying for a top target now could pay dividends come the end of the season.
“Sometimes I think when you read the programme notes, they’re just trying to get the fans on side. I totally understand that,” Hutton told Football Insider’s Russell Edge.
“But if you go out and spend X amount of million on a striker, he comes in, scores eight, nine goals and that keeps you up, it’s well and truly worth it.
“I get January can be difficult to get your top targets in. You might have to slightly overpay. I do understand that from a business point of view, but ultimately you want to stay in the league.
“That’s the main aim of staying in the Premier League. They’re dicing with death at the moment. They’re there and thereabouts in the relegation zone.
“If you don’t get somebody in and Bamford is still missing for a prolonged period of time, then it’s going to be really difficult.
“They’ve got good players who create a lot of opportunities.
“But you need somebody to put it away. At the moment they don’t have that.”
Bamford has only played six times in the Premier League this season due to injury.
Leeds currently sit 15th in the table, six points off safety.
In other news, pundit claims Leeds United star is “off” and will rake in a “hell of a fee”.