According to multiple sources, Leeds United are on the verge of signing long-term target Jordan Hugill as they look to solve their striker dilemma, but I believe better value lays elsewhere.
First and foremost, for a striker playing in the Premier League with West Ham, Hugill’s goalscoring record is extremely modest, to say the least.
The 26-year-old target man has notched 37 goals in 148 career appearances, scoring just eight goals in 27 appearances in his final season at Preston before making the switch to the London Stadium.
Whilst it is widely regarded that goals are not all that Hugill offers – his hold-up play would be amongst the best in the division – when paying top dollar for a striker, Leeds will want a greater return than Hugill will offer and after Pierre-Michel Lasogga flopped last season, Bielsa should look away from the target man mould.
Instead, the Whites should be focusing their attention on 23-year-old Peterborough striker Jack Marriott, who is available for a fee of £6.5 million this summer.
The former Luton Town frontman possesses absolutely blistering pace and a clear eye for goal, as demonstrated by a return of 27 league goals from 44 appearances for Posh last season.
With Ezgjan Alioski and Kemar Roofe also offering pace out on the wings, Marriott’s arrival could help form a potent attacking force for the Whites next season.
A host of big clubs are interested in the striker, including Sheffield Wednesday and Aston Villa, but forking out the £6.5 million required to bring Marriott to Elland Road may just prove to be a masterstroke.
