Leeds in Hunt for New Faces

Article by David Naylor

A harrowing display away at Derby County last weekend again highlighted the need for fresh blood in Brian McDermott's Leeds side. The Leeds boss has repeatedly spoken about the need for a new winger and striker in his ranks and will be doing his up most to sign new players during the current international break. In terms of transfer targets, McDermott will most likely try to sign players who will slot into his side almost immediately after putting pen to paper, and there are various Premier League stars that could be within Leeds' radar..........

Guly Do Prado

Southampton Striker Do Prado has been briefly mentioned before as a possible target for Leeds, the most likely reason being that the Brazilian-born 31 year old has been a performed well at Championship level, scoring 11 goals in both the 2010/11 and 2011/12 seasons. Do Prado is very much an attacking midfielder and can also operate on the wing, which would provide an alternative option to Leeds' current midfield set-up, with players such as Murphy, Tonge, Brown, Austin, Green and Norris all arguably suited to playing in central midfield. If Do Prado is looking for first-team football then you would hope he would seriously consider stepping down a league to join the Whites, as he has found opportunities very limited under current Saints boss Mauro Pochettino. One factor that may hinder a deal however, is the players mind-set after being charged with a drink-driving offence in 2012, with Brian McDermott repeatedly saying during the Summer period that he would only sign players with a favourable attitude. These kinds of offences have been committed by various footballers, however, so fingers crossed Do Prado would be raring to go at Leeds should McDermott come calling.

Harry Kane

Whilst perhaps never being a prolific goal scorer in his short career so far, Kane would offer pace to a forward line that is lacking in this regard. 20 year old striker Kane has been sniffing around the Spurs first team this season, having been given game time in both the Europa League and Premier League although the presence of Roberto Soldado, Emmanuel Adebayor and Jermaine Defoe may see the England U-21 International's opportunities limited this term, and hence another loan to a Championship outfit may aid his development. One factor that may hinder a deal, however, is that Brian McDermott ideally wants to sign a player on loan who would also be available for a permanent transfer come January and Kane would most likely be out of Leeds' price range.

Marc Albrighton

Albrighton could be a real coup for Leeds if he can replicate the form that saw him become a regular at Premier League Aston Villa a few years ago. The midfielder missed just 9 of the Villa's Premiership games in the 2010/11 season- a campaign that saw the Englishman also net 5 goals. Albrighton has undoubted quality on the right-side of midfield however recent injuries have left the 23 year old on the fringes of the Villa first-team and McDermott may want to see proof that the player is fully fit before making an approach. Albrighton, however, has managed to secure a place on the Villa bench in recent weeks with Leeds fans hoping the midfielder is granted permission to find his form in the lower leagues. As with Kane, Albrighton is not likely to be available for a permanent transfer at the turn of the year- if he proves a hit at Elland Road then Villa boss Paul Lambert may look to give the wide-man another shot at the first-team.

Luciano Becchio

Cost less than Berbatov, but scores more goals- a somewhat flattering chant from affectionate Leeds fans for a player who became a cult hero at Elland Road during his four and a half year stay. The first half of last season saw 29 year old Becchio bag an impressive 20 goals for the Whites prior to his move to Norwich City in the January transfer window. Indeed, Becchio has been a regular goal scorer at Championship level, with the Argentine Striker boasting 46 goals in 108 second-tier games. Leeds fans are divided on Becchio's possible return, with some arguing that the Striker offers little to the team bar his goal-threat, however his return is a real possibility after McDermott was knocked back a few weeks ago when enquiring about Luciano's availability. If new Canaries signing Gary Hooper completes a successful return to fitness, then Becchio may be allowed to move on, with some sources claiming that the big-man is more than willing to return to sunny West Yorkshire.

Craig Noone

Another player in Leeds' scope could be Craig Noone, who, like Becchio and Do Prado, has a reasonable amount of experience at Championship level. Noone played in around two thirds of title-winning Cardiff City's games in the second-tier last season, contributing 7 goals and 9 assists in the process. The Winger should still be on Championship-level wages meaning that his presence at Elland Road wouldn't sap too much financial clout from McDermott's already dwindling transfer budget.

Others on McDermott's shopping list could include Elliot Grandin, who signed for Crystal Palace in August but has yet to make a Premier League appearance, Leroy Lita, a well-travelled marksman who has been told to move on by Swansea, and Alex Nimely, a Striker who may be desperate to prove his worth to parent-club Manchester City. 

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