OPINION
Leeds United have made an approach to sign Hamburg striker Pierre-Michel Lasogga on loan, according to Bild.
The German newspaper claim the Yorkshire giants have registered their interest in signing Lasogga, 25, before the transfer window cut-off at the end of this month.
Bild report that the former Germany Under-21 striker is one of Hamburg’s top earners, with a salary of £59,000-a-week.
Good move for Leeds?
Without a doubt. The German’s salary and scoring record in one of Europe’s top leagues makes it abundantly clear that he is a forward of genuine pedigree, despite a horrible 2016-17 campaign in which he was used predominantly as a substitute and his 22 matches in all competitions yielded a mere two goals. Lasogga is a line-leader in the Chris Wood mould, capable of pulling defenders out wide as well as bullying them in the box. His tally of 34 goals from 128 Bundesliga matches is impressive, given that it is a higher level than the Championship. His mega salary would normally rule out a move to Leeds but Hamburg do not see the front man as part of their plans for this season and are willing to subsidise his wages to smooth a transfer.
This Is Futbol rating: 8/10
Likely to happen?
Do Leeds view Lasogga as competition for main man Wood? Or as a direct replacement? That is the question nervous Leeds fans will want answering as they assess their club’s pursuit of the German striker. Unless Hamburg pay at least half of Lasogga’s salary, this deal is a non-starter. But a loan move in which Leeds pay around 40 per cent of his wages would make sense for all parties. It would give the promotion hopefuls a proven scorer in a top league, allow the player a chance to restore his reputation and enable Hamburg to recover some of their losses from someone who has dropped down the first-team pecking order.
This Is Futbol rating: 5/10