OPINION
After last summer’s transfer debacle involving a vast number of attackers, it should come as no surprise to hear that Leeds United are looking a little closer to home when it comes to their hunt for firepower 12 months on.
The likes of Caleb Ekuban, Jay-Roy Grot and Pierre-Michel Lasogga were all brought in to try and fill the gap left by the departing Chris Wood off the back of his impressive campaign, but not one of the new recruits came anywhere near hitting the expected heights, leaving the Whites looking toothless up top.
Journalist Phil Hay claims on his personal Twitter account that Marcelo Bielsa and his transfer team are looking at alternatives for former top target Matej Vydra at Derby County, and that there are a number of UK options on their shortlist to try and amend the errors made last summer.
there is work going on in the background – trying for alternatives to Vydra, waiting for Blackman to go ahead, a couple of other deals bubbling.
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) July 12, 2018
looking at a couple of PL loans (Blackman being one). Also looking at other domestic strikers (permanent deals, I'd expect).
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) July 12, 2018
However, if Leeds truly mean business, then they must forget the alternatives and throw the money at Vydra, who is not only a proven hitman in the Championship but a prolific one.
The 5’9″ (source: Transfermarkt) Czech international was the league’s top scorer last season with 21 goals for the Rams, and it is not every day that your division rivals are willing to let such an asset depart.
His record is filled with goals at a consistent rate, and while there may be cheaper options out there, they are unlikely to provide the same guaranteed goals as the 26-year-old.
His age means he will be at the top of his game for years to come, and with just one major injury in his history, coming back in 2011, there should be few fears over him missing much game time.
Andrea Radrizzani might be wanting to spend savvy this summer, but he needs to realise value for money, and if Vydra fires the club to a top six finish, then he will be priceless.