Marsch now plotting Leeds bid for "prolific" £30m target, he’s the ideal Bamford heir - opinion

Leeds United are said to be interested in signing Brentford striker Ivan Toney this summer, although are set to face competition from another Premier League club.

As per The Sun, manager Jesse Marsch is keen on adding the Englishman to his squad this summer as he bids to bolster his centre-forward options, albeit with uber-rich Newcastle United also set to battle it out for the 26-year-old.

The report suggests that Thomas Frank’s side will be ‘reluctant’ to cash in on their prize asset in the current window, although an offer of around £30m could potentially tempt them into a sale.

This follows speculation that the Elland Road outfit are also eyeing a deal for Paris Saint-Germain starlet Arnaud Kalimuendo, with the club seemingly working to add increased firepower to the current squad.

Although the report suggests that Marsch could be looking to partner the former Peterborough man in attack with current number nine, Patrick Bamford, a more likely scenario would see the Bees ace replace his compatriot as the club’s leading man.

That fact has largely been influenced by the recent injury woes suffered by the latter, with Bamford having been absent for the majority of last season, eventually making just nine appearances in the top tier, scoring two goals.

The year prior had seen the 28-year-old record an impressive haul of 17 league goals – earning international recognition in the process – although his inability to stay fit has seemingly seen Marsch and co turn their attentions elsewhere, with the former Chelsea man unable to be relied upon.

In Toney then, the Yorkshire side appear to have identified a perfect alternative, with the £31.5m-rated gem having been in “prolific” form in recent seasons, as per talkSPORT’s Adrian