"From what I'm told..": Phil Hay drops Leeds transfer claim, supporters surely buzzing - opinion

Phil Hay has dropped an update on the potential targets of Leeds United in the summer transfer window.

Speaking on a recent episode of The Phil Hay Show, The Athletic journalist revealed that Victor Orta and Jesse Marsch are targeting the signing of a Premier League centre-forward ahead of the Whites’ 2022/23 campaign.

Regarding the Leeds’ potential targets this summer, Hay said: “From what I’m told there is at least one Premier League centre-forward that they’re looking at, and I think they will do a centre-forward – they have to do a centre-forward.”

When taking into account just how much Leeds struggled in attack without the services of Patrick Bamford this season, Hay’s claim that the club are looking to sign a proven Premier League striker in the summer transfer window is sure to have left the Elland Road faithful buzzing.

Indeed, with the England international missing 28 league fixtures as a result of injury this term, and – despite being an incredibly exciting prospect for the future – Joe Gelhardt not quite being a top-flight level number nine as yet, the Whites managed to find the back of the net just 42 times this season – 20 fewer than their total of 62 goals scored in 2020/21.

And, with Raphinha’s proposed transfer to Barcelona looking to already be all but be confirmed, Orta and Marsch face the added task of having to replace the Brazilian’s 11 goals and three assists over his 36 appearances next time out, making the signing of a dependable backup to Bamford all the more important ahead of 22/23.

As such, Hay’s suggestion that Orta is already working on the signing of a new striker in the off-season is sure to delight both Marsch and supporters alike, as, if Leeds wish to give themselves the best possible