Elland Road, the home of Leeds United Football Club. (Photo by Paul Ellis - Pool/Getty Images)Elland Road, the home of Leeds United Football Club. (Photo by Paul Ellis - Pool/Getty Images)
Elland Road, the home of Leeds United Football Club. (Photo by Paul Ellis - Pool/Getty Images)

Leeds United transfer rumours: Whites battle Leicester City for ex-Real Madrid striker; Rodrigo departure 'inevitable'

Leeds United are reportedly locked in a three-horse race for a former Real Madrid striker.

Patrick Bamford has carried the burden of leading the Whites attack this season with a highly impressive 14 goals.

However, according to Spanish outlet Fichajes, Marcelo Bielsa is eyeing competition in the form of Espanyol’s Raul de Tomas.

The 26-year-old made the decision to stay with Espanyol despite their relegation from La Liga last term and his loyalty has been more than vindicated.

A total of 16 goals in 29 outings so far is said to have caught the attention of three Premier League clubs – including Leeds, Leicester City and West Ham United.

It is claimed the trio will try and sign de Tomas this summer but the Whites’ swoop is subject to the possible departure of club-record signing Rodrigo.

Fichajes claims Rodrigo’s departure now seems “inevitable”, especially with multiple Spanish clubs prepared to sign him.

Elsewhere, Sevilla winger Lucas Ocampos has played down reports linking him with a switch to Elland Road.

It was reported by Football Insider that Bielsa’s side were keeping tabs on the 26-year-old Argentine.

However, Ocampos, who was also being tracked by Wolves, insists he is staying at the Europa League specialists.

He told Canal Sur Radio via Goal: “I always say the same thing, I'm focusing on the present and I don't look further ahead of the things that I cannot control.

"I love this city and what has happened in the past two years. I hope it continues.

"I'm very happy here and I'm not thinking of playing anywhere else than here.

"I'm very grateful to the club because they gave me confidence and allowed me to grow in certain facets of my game, which other clubs had not."

Here are the latest transfer headlines from around the Premier League – including more on Leeds’ reported interest in an England under-21s star: