Leeds United chasing Southampton's Che Adams, considering Sheffield United's Billy Sharp, winger and keeper close to joining

Leeds United continue to pursue number one target Che Adams in a bid to bolster Marcelo Bielsa’s frontline, but they have got other irons in the fire.
Southampton striker Che Adams tops Leeds United's wishlist but they have other options under consideration (Pic: Getty)Southampton striker Che Adams tops Leeds United's wishlist but they have other options under consideration (Pic: Getty)
Southampton striker Che Adams tops Leeds United's wishlist but they have other options under consideration (Pic: Getty)

Southampton striker Adams is viewed as the ideal replacement for departed loanee Eddie Nketiah, despite Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl’s insistence that they won’t allow the 23-year-old to leave on loan.

Adams is yet to score for the Premier League outfit and although he has started 10 games since his reported £15m summer move from Birmingham City, Hasenhuttl admits the forward is ‘not so happy’ with his game time.

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Leeds still remain hopeful of bringing Adams, who scored 22 goals for the Blues in the Championship last season, to Elland Road this month.

But they are also keen to avoid a repeat of the 2019 January transfer window, when they lost out on number one target Dan James at the last minute.

And while top goalscorer Patrick Bamford continues to display the kind of form that has made him a firm favourite with Bielsa, Leeds need another frontman to provide competition.

Sheffield United’s Billy Sharp is one of the options being considered.

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Blades manager Chris Wilder is keeping an open mind over his club captain’s future and appears content to leave the decision in the player’s hands.

“I’d be looking at him if I wasn’t here,” said Wilder.

“I’ve always been very consistent with the message that, until Billy comes to me and says he has to play regular first team football, then he’ll be here. And he hasn’t. We’ve had calls of people and enquiries. I’m open and honest. I’ve told Billy this club has come in for him and that club comes in for him. But he’s always said no, and that he wants to stay here until at least the end of the season.”

Sharp spent the 2014/15 season at Elland Road, starting 17 league games and scoring five goals.

Since then he has gone on to score 88 goals for Sheffield United in their march from League One to the Premier League.

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Leeds, who are also looking at a striker in Europe who has scored goals at international level, are expecting to bring in a domestic winger and have Italy U18 goalkeeper Elia Caprile lined up, which would complete their major January business.

They do however have their sights on a number of young forwards who could be developed in the Under 18s and Under 23s.

The YEP understands reports of interest in Barnsley’s Cauley Woodrow and Newcastle United’s Dwight Gayle are well wide of the mark.