'Two players in one...' - Sky Sports man now buzzing as Leeds enter talks for 'number nine'

Former Leeds United goalkeeper Paul Robinson has been left excited over a possible swoop for Liverpool forward Takumi Minamino.

The Whites have been linked with a move for the 27-year-old in recent weeks after securing their Premier League status on the final day of last season.

The Japan international, who contributed to 20 goals in 22 games under Jesse Marsch at Red Bull Salzburg, is free to leave Anfield this summer if his £17m valuation is met.

The Athletic claimed that the Reds have given the green light for Minamino’s agent “to hold talks with suitors about a potential move”, name-checking Leeds as a club who have contacted the forward’s representatives.

Robinson, who contributes as a pundit for Sky Sports, was talking to MOT Leeds News regarding a possible move for the Liverpool man.

He said that signing Minamino would be ‘like having two players in one’ and backed the Japan international to play as an ‘out-and-out number nine’ when required.

Robinson stated:

“I like Minamino and he fits the bill of a player who can play when Patrick Bamford doesn’t and he’s also a player who can play wide.

“The difficulty of signing a back-up striker for Bamford is that he doesn’t play at any other time.

“But with a player like Minamino, he can go out wide. It’s like having two players in one.

“He can play behind the striker, he can go in the wide areas and when Patrick’s not fit, he can play as the out-and-out number nine.

“The likelihood of getting a full season out of Patrick is slim so he’s the type of player Leeds need to be looking for.”

Minamino made 24 appearances in all competitions last term, playing as a centre-forward, attacking midfielder and on the wing, scoring 10 times and providing one assist. That is a very