Sources: Leeds eye Brit striker with Championship experience, Wood replacement – view
COMMENT By Harry Sykes
Leeds are in the hunt for yet another striker target after youngster Jay-Roy Grot was reported to be flying in for talks on Wednesday.
And this one could be the man to replace departed talisman Chris Wood, with Grot one for the future.
Phil Hay, a journalist for the Yorkshire Evening Post, put the news about Grot out on his personal Twitter account after the Carabao Cup game against Newport last night.
But Leeds fans have another cause for celebration today as it’s become clear that their club is still looking for the main Wood replacement.
And the man they’re chasing now is a familiar one as Football Insider sources revealed exclusively that Leeds have joined fellow Championship club Reading in the chase for Preston North End striker Jordan Hugill.
Hugill should be familiar to Leeds fans as one of the most promising strikers in the Championship.
Thomas Christiansen had the chance to see him up close in the recent 0-0 draw with PNE in the Championship.
Hugill also scored against Leeds in the 1-1 draw at the end of the 2015/16 season, despite only coming on as a substitute in the dying minutes.
The 25-year-old first joined Preston on loan in 2014, before heading out on loan to Tranmere and Hartlepool.
He was a mainstay at PNE in the 2016/17 season, making 47 appearances and scoring 13 goals.
He’s played all four Championship games for PNE this season, scoring one goal and adding an assist.
According to Football Insider sources Birmingham have already had two bids turned down for the striker, as Preston North End look to hold onto their striker.
However, Leeds have the money following Wood’s departure and could turn Hugill’s head.
HITC reported that PNE turned down a bid of £2million for Hugill from Ipswich in January, which suggests that Leeds could buy him and still have plenty of money left over from the sale of Wood.
We think that PNE would sell around the £5million-£6million mark.
The powerhouse offers a lot in the Championship, and would fit in perfectly with Christiansen’s team.
It is becoming apparent that they already have the creativity and skill – with new signing Samu Saiz continuing to impress on his arrival.
If they add a powerful target man who can score goals at this level, they will be one step closer to being the total package.
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