Leeds United striker 'coup' interest remains after fruitless first attempt but it’s far from simple

The Whites had a go last summer on deadline day when their efforts to bring Cody Gakpo and then Bamba Dieng disintegrated, but the answer was no. They ended up with Willy Gnonto instead of a striker and though the winger remains an asset - albeit a complicated one - the number nine itch remained unscratched. Even when Georginio Rutter arrived for a club record fee in January, that need was not wholly satisfied because the Frenchman is raw and his profile has not quite fit the centre forward role.

Patrick Bamford's injury record over the past two seasons was one of the biggest factors driving a general consensus that Leeds need a number nine in this window and when the once-capped England striker went down with another hamstring problem at Hearts in pre-season it was a not-so-subtle nudge in the direction of the market.