Leeds United is now competing for immediate re-promotion back to the Premier League after a successful start to the 2023–24 season.
In order to increase their prospects of securing an instant return to the first division, German head coach Daniel Farke was hired, and after 11 Championship games, his team is in fifth place.
The board supported the former Norwich City manager throughout the whole summer transfer window, allowing him to make a number of new acquisitions.
On a permanent or loan basis, Ilia Gruev, Djed Spence, Joe Rodon, Jaidon Anthony, Joel Piroe, Ethan Ampadu, Karl Darlow, Glen Kamara, and Sam Byram all entered through the door.
That does not, however, mean that Farke has the ideal team to contend for promotion, and the January transfer window will present the chance to bring in more players to help his team out.
Joel Pohjanpalo, a player from Finland, is one who the German manager needs to rekindle his interest in because his arrival would allow him to ruthlessly fire Joe Gelhardt.
Were Leeds interested in Pohjanpalo?
The former Bayer Leverkusen striker was reportedly sought after by a number of English clubs during the summer transfer season, including the Whites.
To enhance their respective attacking capabilities, West Ham United, Blackburn Rovers, Norwich City, and Leeds were all rumored to be interested in signing the 29-year-old finisher.
The gifted ace reportedly has a release clause in his contract with Venezia that can be triggered for €4 million (£3.5 million), though it is unclear whether that provision will be in effect for the upcoming January transfer window.
Why were Leeds interested in Pohjanpalo?
Due to his stellar goal scoring performance in the 2022–23 season, Farke and Leeds may have been interested in the Serie B number nine.
Pohjanpalo’s consistency at the top of the pitch was demonstrated by his eye-catching 19 goals in 37 league games for Venezia in the second division of Italian football last season.
Since Chris Wood’s incredible 27-goal haul in the 2016–17 season, no Leeds player has scored more than 17 goals in a single season.
The Finnish star, who was ranked nine, also shown his originality. In his 37 Serie B appearances, he generated six “big chances” for his teammates and recorded seven assists; no Whites star produced more assists last season.
His outstanding campaign in Italy followed a return of 16 goals and one assist in 25 Super Lig starts while on loan from Bayer Leverkusen to Caykur Rizespor in the 2021–2022 campaign.
These figures indicate that Pohjanpalo had excelled as a top-end option over the previous two seasons leading up to the summer transfer window, which may be why Farke and Leeds were eager to secure a deal for his services in addition to the Hammers and the Canaries.
How many goals has Pohjanpalo scored this season
The 29-year-old star, who was once praised as “dangerous” by journalist Josh Bunting, has contributed two assists and four goals in ten appearances for Venezia in all competitions during the 2023–24 season.
On the strength of his impressive performances last season, he has contributed three goals and two assists, along with two “big chances” created, in nine Serie B starts for the Italian team.
This demonstrates that the former Bundesliga star has maintained a steady threat in the final third for his team and is in excellent form heading into the January transfer window, which may lead to increased interest in his services at the start of the next year.
How many goals has Joe Gelhardt scored this season?
With just one goal in seven games in all competitions this season, Thorp Arch grad Joe Gelhard hasn’t placed much of a strain on Joel Piroe and Georginio Rutter.
The left-footed prodigy has played five Championship games for Leeds, including two starts, without recording a single goal, assist, or “big chance” produced.
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