According to German media source Hamburger Morgen Post (HMP), Leeds United can expect difficulties in the Pierre-Michel Lasogga chase.
Leeds have been said to be interested for all of this summer’s window in bringing the German striker to Elland Road, with HMP saying that “signals sent” by both Leeds and SV Hamburg are in agreement that “if Lasogga wants to go to the island, there would also be an agreement.”
HMP go on to say that Lasogga is hesitant to commit to leaving Germany and taking up a place in England second-tier competition in the Sky Bet Championship. They say that things playing on his mind are leading to him being hesitant on the move, and that he “tends rather to cancel the [interest from the] Whites.”
The one thing that HMP say is clouding his judgement is that he doesn’t want to arrive at a new club and end up playing second fiddle to a first-choice striker. Last time out he was pushed back in the pecking order at Hamburg with the arrival of American striker Bobby Wood – scorer of five goals for the German side last season.
It would be another Wood, Chris Wood, who would be standing in his way should Lasogga sign for Leeds United. Wood led Leeds United’s line in a 4-2-3-1 formation last season, scoring 30 goals across all competitions for the Whites – including a league-leading 27 goals in the Sky Bet Championship.
However, Lasogga is said by HMP to not be willing to play second fiddle to Wood, rather he “would like to have a good chance to be used quickly and often with his new club.” He is not fully ready to pull out of a new deal to see him loaned to Leeds before a potential sale, saying that “he would like to travel to Leeds and get a picture of the situation.”
Lasogga or not – a deal worth making or letting drift?
In fairness, and taking all things into consideration, if this is the insistence of Lasogga over the fine details of a move to Leeds United, it is likely that interest will fizzle out. The Whites have already turned down offers upwards and above of £16 million for Chris Wood from Premier League Burnley. It is inconceivable that they would a.) bring in Lasogga on a deal where his wages (rumoured around €3.5 million a year/£61,200-per-week) would be an issue, and b.) have him brought in to demote fan-favourite and top-scorer Chris Wood to a bench role.
If this is the case, that Lasogga will only sign for Leeds with a guarantee of games and games on a regular basis, then it is likely that this interest will be allowed to drift.
