OPINION
Leeds are running out of time to bring a new striker to Elland Road as a replacement for Chris Wood but could now turn their attention to Burnley’s Ashley Barnes.
The Whites have a £15million windfall from the sale of 25-year-old Wood, who began his Burnley career with aplomb on Sunday afternoon by equalising in the final moments of his debut against Tottenham to draw 1-1.
But the New Zealand international’s presence in the side has pushed Barnes, 27, down the pecking order at Turf Moor and he is now reportedly allowed to leave if the price is right.
The Sun’s transfer expert Alan Nixon claimed Burnley’s number 10 is allowed to leave the club if any interested parties table an offer worth £10million, with multiple sides said to be interested.
Although not particularly renowned for his goals in the final third, it is Barnes’ work rate and ability create something out of nothing that should interest the Whites.
In the Championship, the former Brighton ace has scored 29 goals as well as laying in 14 assists in 150 outings, with many of those appearances coming from out wide as well as a centre forward.
In a free-flowing attack such as Leeds with the likes of Pablo Hernandez, Ezgjan Alioski, Kemar Roofe and Samu Saiz all proving they can find the back of the net, Barnes’ creativity would be crucial.
Known for his ability to hassle defenders and win the ball back higher up the pitch, the one-time Austria Under-20 international’s effect on a side is more territorial than it is stats-based.
Leeds are still on the lookout for a new striker, despite completing the signing of Jay-Roy Grot from NEC Nijmegen and have been reportedly linked to Preston’s Jordan Hugill and FC Malmo’s Pawel Cibicki.
Broadcaster Joe Rawson claimed on his personal Twitter account that the duo have been considered by the Whites, as well as Rudy Gestede and Pierre-Michel Lasogga.
https://twitter.com/joerawson/status/902205450187407360
But Barnes offers something different to any of those options, with his relenting work ethic likely to be adored by the Elland Road faithful as well as still possessing an eye for goal that will provide Leeds with an added extra dimension.
Signing Barnes would be a great move for Leeds despite his goal record, even at the eight-figure price tag Burnley are said to be quoting him for.