Leeds United are leading the pack in England in the Europe-wide chase to sign West Brom striker Tyler Roberts, according to the Daily Mail.
The newspaper claim that United are the frontrunners in England to capture the forward, 19, before the transfer window cut-off next Friday.
The Mail report that there is also firm interest in Roberts, whose contract expires in the summer, from Rangers, Marseille and Alaves, as well as Italian trio AC Milan, Sampdoria and Torino.
It is said that Roberts is weighing up his options in the final days of the window as he can leave West Brom for a knockdown fee of £300,000 in the summer due to cross-border rules.
Leeds would not benefit from that and must pay the full asking price were they to secure Roberts during the January window, or a compensation fee were they to land him at the end of the season.
The Wales Under 21 international has recently returned to West Brom from a half-season loan at Walsall, where he scored five league goals in 15 matches.
Good move for Leeds?
Yes, definitely. The centre-forward is a rising star – he has scored more goals than any other teenager in England’s top four divisions this season – and he could add an exciting new dimension to a Leeds attack that has looked severely lacking ever since Pierre-Michel Lasogga began his winter break at the start of November. The noises coming out of Leeds is that they want a new centre-forward before the January window shuts, but they are struggling to find someone who is suitable, affordable and available. Well, Roberts ticks all three boxes, and West Brom are vulnerable to losing him as he is a free agent in just a few months’ time.
This Is Futbol rating 8/10
Likely to happen?
There is global interest in Roberts and West Brom also want to tie him to a new deal. So Leeds will need to be very persuasive to secure a deal by the middle of next week. Their fans will be gratified that United are firmly in the race but there is much work to be done to push the transfer over the finish line.
This Is Futbol rating 6/10