There was a time, not so long ago, when barely a window went by without Leeds United being linked with a man who now finds himself chasing down Daniel Farke’s side in the Championship promotion race.
As Leeds went down 1-0 at home to relegation-threatened Blackburn Rovers – seriously, does anyone really want to play Premier League football in 2023/24? – the club’s long-time transfer target put the team in fourth three points closer to the Yorkshire giants in what is threatening to become a tense and tight end to a typically enthralling second-tier campaign.
Adam Armstrong may have hogged most of the headlines at Southampton this term. But Che Adams – the Robin to Armstrong’s Batman, if you will – has 13 goals of his own.
The hard-working Scotland international took his tally to 15 in all competitions as he put The Saints 2-0 up against Watford on Saturday.
But with his contract expiring in July, and with Leeds once again being linked with a player they had no fewer than three bids rejected for back in the winter of 2020, Farke’s men are not the only ones wondering what division they will be plying their trade in when next term kicks off (TEAMtalk).
Will Leeds United finally sign Southampton’s Che Adams?
“For Leeds to have any chance of signing Che Adams, they’ve got to be in the Premier League,” argues Carlton Palmer, the former Elland Road midfielder speaking to Football League World.
“Then, it’s the opportunity of playing.”
Adams, who Leeds tried to sign in a deal worth up to £20 million during Marcelo Bielsa’s glorious second season in West Yorkshire, is reportedly also on the radar of a Wolves side who came very close to luring him away from the South Coast last summer (Sky Sports).
Palmer, however, has doubts about whether Adams would consider joining a Wolverhampton Wanderers outfit who may see him as something of a back-up option.
Wolves also linked again
“Che won’t want to go to Wolves and be sat on the bench, or anywhere sat on the bench,” the ex-England international adds. “But I think it would be a good move.
“I’d like to see him at Leeds United, but I think it would be a good move for Wolves and Gary O’Neil if they were able to capture his signature.
“But I’m sure there are going to be other interested parties in Che Adams because he’s available on a free transfer, and that would be a great bit of business for a player that has international and Premier League pedigree.”
Leeds, who HITC understands are keen on another out-of-contract talent in West Ham’s Ben Johnson, are six points ahead of Southampton but Martin’s side have two games in hand. The two clubs will also go head-to-head on what could be a make-or-break final day clash at Elland Road.