Leeds United: Swiss collapse could open Whites door for Lafferty

Norwich City striker Lafferty is desperate for regular football ahead of Northern Ireland’s Euro 2016 campaign and has been linked with a move to United since the Autumn of last year.

Whites head coach Steve Evans has made no secret of his admiration for the player but the Leeds head coach favoured a loan move for the striker with Norwich instead wanting a permanent deal.

As the clock ticked towards Monday night’s 11pm transfer deadline, Lafferty instead looked to be on his way to Sion - the club he left Glasgow Rangers for - but the 28-year-old is thought to be keen to continue his football in England.

And it remains to be seen if United make a renewed bid for the Northern Ireland international who is good friends with his international team-mate and Whites winger Stuart Dallas.

Leeds are unquestionably short of striking options with the situation exacerbated by the recent hamstring problems experienced by main striker Chris Wood.

United are naturally being linked with a whole host of names approaching the final day of the new year transfer window with NEC Nijmegan winger Anthony Limbombe and Leicester City forward Tom Lawrence the latest names mooted on Sunday.

United have shown an interest in young Belgian winger Limbombe before but the Whites instead signed Jordan Botaka.

Asked about the possibility of Limbombe moving before the transfer deadline, NEC boss Ernest Faber reportedly told Dutch TV “I think something will happen.”

Spanish club Granada are among the clubs thought to be interested in gaining his signature, along with Lille, Nice and Auxerre.

Leicester forward, Lawrence, meanwhile, also requires regular football, in a similar manner to Lafferty in terms of enhancing his international prospects with Wales.

Lawrence had been on loan at Blackburn Rovers but now Cardiff City are thought to be leading the way in a bid to secure a loan deal.

United are known to have made a £300,000 bid for Barnsley’s top scorer Sam Winnall - a bid which was rejected by the Tykes who felt the offer was well short of his valuation.

Evans says Leeds will not be making a new

bid, arguing that the initial bid was fair.

Evans also approached Crystal Palace about loaning striker Fraizer Campbell but has implied that a loan deal is not possible.

Peterborough United forward Marcus Maddison, Celtic midfielder Tom Rogic and Middlesbrough striker Kike are other names to have been linked with a move to Leeds.