Andy Couzens believes Leeds should look to sign Southampton striker Charlie Austin or Liverpool’s Danny Ings to replace the loss of top scorer Chris Wood.
Burnley confirmed on their official website that 25-year-old striker Wood had completed a move to join the Premier League side, penning a four-year deal with the Lancashire-based club.
Replying to a fan on his personal Twitter account, former Leeds midfielder Couzens believes his former side should look to secure ambitious deals to sign either Austin or Ings.
Haha love this ??? who would u like to see us sign?
— Gaz (@leedsunitedgaz) August 20, 2017
I don't really no to be honest but a proven striker from any leauge ings Austin would be good but let's see #Mot https://t.co/yx3dcLjDPG
— andy couzens (@andycuz23) August 20, 2017
Austin, 28, struggled with injury last season and is currently battling the likes of Shane Long and Manolo Gabbiadini for a place in the Saints side.
However, he is still considered one of Mauricio Pellegrino’s best options in the final third and he showed that by scoring against West Ham on the weekend during a 10-minute cameo role from the substitutes bench.
His Championship form is excellent though, with a ratio of one goal in just under two games after scoring 66 times in 129 second-tier appearances throughout his career.
England international Ings is likely to be much more expendable as he continues his recovery from a second long-term knee injury in two years, which has limited the Liverpool ace to just 11 Reds appearances.
With Roberto Firmino, Daniel Sturridge and Divock Origi ahead of the former Burnley ace in the pecking order, Jurgen Klopp may be willing to let him leave on loan.
OPINION
There is no doubt that Christiansen must look to bring in a new striker with the money received for Wood, after also allowing Marcus Antonsson to join Blackburn on loan. Caleb Ekuban is unproven and picked up a foot injury against Sunderland, while Souleymane Doukara’s future is in doubt. Austin has plenty of Championship form after spells with Burnley and QPR. He would be an excellent signing, although he is very unlikely to want to drop down to the Championship and Leeds would have to blow all of the money received for Wood if they were to sign him. Similarly, Ings has proven he has the quality to shine in the Premier League and would rather remain in the top flight, but a loan move to Elland Road could be secured as he looks to finally overcome his injury demons. Both would be excellent signings, if Leeds can pull off a coup.