OPINION
As well as both being northern giants with passionate fan bases, both Newcastle United and Leeds United have one thing in common – a lack of a top quality centre forward.
The Magpies managed to scrape through their Premier League campaign without any of their strikers ever hitting their stride, Dwight Gayle, Joselu, Aleksandar Mitrovic and Islam Slimani all leaving the Toon Army wanting much more from the quartet.
Leeds meanwhile saw an influx of new attacking options but not one manager to hit the expected heights and fire the Whites to a play off position, with Pierre-Michel Lasogga and Jay Roy Grot the pair who came under most fire at Elland Road.
Now, despite the Magpies having suffered so much up front, they appear to be ready to get rid of an unproven quantity this season, and Leeds could well benefit from his impending exit.
The Chronicle claims that the north east side are willing to cash in on Adam Armstrong this summer after failing to make the grade from the youth academy, the 21-year-old having spent time out on loan at both Bolton Wanderers and Blackburn Rovers in the last 12 months.
Despite his 12 goals across his temporary spells, Newcastle seem unwilling to give him a chance, and that could work in Leeds’ favour.
At 21 he is a decent Championship talent who has a lot of potential to grow, and has proven he knows where the goal is wherever he has played.
He might be lacking in height, standing at 5’7″, but his pace and poaching ability would give Leeds the threat they have lacked so often.
Up for sale, Armstrong is likely to be available for a cut price, and it is a no-brainer for Paul Heckingbottom to snap him up and give him a chance to shine at Elland Road.