Leeds United have registered an interest in Vedat Muriqi in recent days, according to reports…
What’s the word?
La Lazio Siamo Noi claim that Lazio have made the 6 foot 4 striker available for a move this month having failed to break into the team under former Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri.
It’s thought that the Yorkshire giants are considering a loan and they could face competition from Championship outfit Hull City, though their interest has waned recently.
Muriqi is currently valued at €15m (£12.5m) by CIES Football Observatory.
Should Leeds sign Vedat Muriqi on loan?
YES!
NO!
Lasogga 2.0
After joining the Serie A side in September 2020, the 37-cap Kosovo international has struggled to make his mark at the club. Indeed, across 48 appearances, he has found the net just twice, which has to be worrying reading for any Leeds fan.
United have really struggled to find an alternative to Patrick Bamford in recent times, whilst their history with strikers over the years is by no means impressive.
Think Jean-Kevin Augustin or perhaps Pierre-Michel Lasogga, who despite scoring a few times on loan from Hamburger SV, wasn’t a thrilling attacking option.
At the time he was at the club, there were many supporters questioning his suitability for a club of their stature and at a towering 6 foot 3, there has to be some similarities to this mooted swoop for Muriqi.
The Kosovan’s former teammate, Max Kruse, once likened him to one of Europe’s most lethal marksmen.
“Very ambitious, very enthusiastic, very hardworking… I compare him to Lewandowski. I say this to him too. I think he will be at Bayern level in 2-3 seasons,” he said (via Aksam).
Meanwhile, Smarter Scout have previously described him as “utterly dominant in the air” but he has “average attacking output” and that only bolsters the similarities to why he could be Lasogga 2.0 in west Yorkshire.
As such, Victor Orta and co must steer clear of sanctioning this move, especially as their first major signing this month. A good target man he may be, but he isn’t going to provide the club with the goals they so desperately need.
AND in other news, Bielsa dealt another cruel Leeds United injury blow…