Former England international striker Kevin Phillips believes Southampton’s Che Adams would be the “perfect” signing for Leeds United this month.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Phillips suggested capturing the 23-year-old could be the difference between Marcelo Bielsa’s going up or not.
The Saints striker has been linked with a move all month but as it stands, Ralph Hasenhuttl is refusing to let him go. Adams is currently valued at £10.8m (via Transfermarkt.co.uk) and although the two clubs are yet to agree to a deal it’s understood talks are still ongoing. Leeds are however also said to be looking at alternative options after Eddie Nketiah returned to Arsenal after an unsuccessful loan spell at Elland Road.
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Adams joined Southampton from Birmingham City in July 2019 for a reported fee of £15m and has made 16 appearances in the Premier League for the Saints so far this season.
Regarding the prospect of the striker joining Leeds, Phillip’s told Football Insider: “He would [be perfect]. I watched a lot of Che at Birmingham and his development has been excellent.”
“Good player, powerful, strong, can score goals, very surprised he hasn’t kicked on at Southampton but sometimes it can be difficult in the Premier League and obviously he’s against Danny Ings.
“I think any Championship side that’s looking for promotion, like West Brom with Dwight Gayle if they could get him back, if Che Adams went to Leeds, that could be the difference between them going up or not going up, so I think he’d be a good addition, yeah.”
TIF Tactics – Can Adams give Leeds a nudge over the line?
Despite Phillips’ highly complimentary comments regarding the striker, it’s worth noting he is yet to score a goal this season.
Leeds currently sit in second place in the Championship and having missed out on automatic promotion last season, Marcelo Bielsa and his squad will be desperate to put that right.
They currently have a six-point cushion between themselves and Brentford in third place but as they’ve learned the hard way in previous years, nobody can afford to rest on their laurels in such a competitive division.