OPINION
Leeds United might have signed Patrick Bamford over the summer but due to his injury it has been last season’s top scorer Kemar Roofe who has continued to lead the line for the Whites.
The 25-year-old has been in fine form, netting eight goals in his 15 appearances as the club make a push for Championship glory but there have been times where they have been missing that cutting edge and a new striker would not go amiss in the January transfer window.
As for who they target, a proven name would put Roofe’s future in serious doubt, with Tyler Roberts another option to boost Marcelo Bielsa’s side but a rising star could help keep the balance without upsetting the apple cart.
One man who seems in real demand – and understandably so – is Ayr United’s Lawrence Shankland, with the Daily Record claiming that Championship rivals Swansea City are plotting a £400,000 bid for his capture amid a hunt of no less than 20 clubs.
Now it is not revealed if Leeds are among the chasing pack but they should be, with the 23-year-old having netted at an incredible rate of over a goal-per-game, with 25 goals in 22 appearances across all competitions, 16 of those strikes coming in his 15 league appearances.
The Scottish second tier might not be the same level as England’s but a goal scorer is a goal scorer and Shankland knows exactly where the back of the net is.
At £400,000, he represents a bargain and one which could blitz Leeds to the Championship title, even if it means offering a hot shot option off the bench.
A striker will be near the top of Bielsa’s shortlist for the winter window and in Shankland they would have a low risk, high reward talent on their hands.