Leeds United are set to be priced out of moves for strikers Chris Martin and Lewis Grabban, according to a reliable journalist.
Yorkshire Evening Post’s chief football writer Phil Hay has claimed on his personal Twitter account that there is no sign of the Whites moving for either Derby County’s Martin or Bournemouth’s Grabban.
It is understood that both target men are “financially problematic” and that Thomas Christiansen’s side are not lining up a raid for either of them in the remainder of the January transfer window.
have said before that I’d take Chris Martin, and Grabban would be a good signing too but both financially problematic and no sign of Leeds going for either
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) January 28, 2018
This significant transfer update will leave Leeds fans frustrated as their chase for a new senior centre-forward has been widely reported this month and it now appears that they could fall short in their pursuit.
With Wednesday’s deadline cut-off point looming, it is a significant blow to hear the Championship side can’t match the financial demands of their targets.
Leeds were installed as second favourites to sign Grabban from Premier League outfit Bournemouth earlier in January, but it appears he could cost too much.
The 30-year-old spent the first half of the season out on loan with Sunderland in the Championship, where he scored 12 goals in just 20 appearances across all competitions.
Meanwhile, news outlet Football Insider previously reported that Leeds’ pursuit of Martin from league rivals Derby had ended as they were not willing to do business with a promotion rival.
OPINION
Leeds’ centre-forward pursuit appears to have hit another brick wall and they may have to make do with what they have got for the second half of the season. The Whites may have to turn to Pierre-Michel Lasogga to become their talisman as they push for a play-off position, despite him dividing opinion this season during his loan spell. He showed against Millwall with his two goals that he can find the net and Christiansen’s side just need to give the right service. Leeds are just three points outside the top six and it’s crucial they remain in touching distance during a difficult spell they are encountering.