OPINION
After seeing the vast number of attacking imports flop at Elland Road last summer, new Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa has a job on his hands to try and bolster their front line ahead of the new campaign.
The likes of Caleb Ekuban and Jay-Roy Grot were severely underwhelming with their displays last season and the Whites will be glad that Pierre-Michel Lasogga was only signed on a loan from Hamburg last summer.
Anyone who watched Leeds knows how desperately they need some additional firepower for the new campaign, but there seems to be some deliberation over who they should bring in.
Journalist Phil Hay claims on his personal Twitter account that the Whites are mulling over moves for both former Hull City striker Abel Hernandez and Derby County hitman Matej Vydra, with the Czech international said to be Bielsa’s top target.
the total cost of signing Hernandez is high. Leeds been in two minds over whether to commit to it. Plus, Bielsa wants Vydra.
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) July 2, 2018
It appears as though Hernandez, who is now a free agent, has put a potential move to Elland Road on the rocks with his wage demands, but is Vydra really a suitable alternative?
The Derby man is a proven goalscorer, netting 22 times for the Rams last season, but it has to be noted that the majority of his appearances came not as a centre forward but sitting as a second striker behind the likes of David Nugent and Cameron Jerome.
It is a position that Samu Saiz played in last season for Leeds, and will not fill the gaping hole that is left by the lack of proven striker in the squad.
Kemar Roofe was shoehorned into the role but if Vydra is going to arrive as the new centre forward option, Bielsa is making a big mistake.
Both Hernandez and Vydra would be ideal but costs are likely to sink any hopes of that, and the Argentinian boss’ hunt for an actual striker will have to continue if he wants to be a success next season.