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Leeds United were expected to move quickly to replace Chris Wood and according to Guardian journalist Ed Aarons they may have found their man.
Leeds have made a £6m bid for Middlesbrough striker Rudy Gestede #lufc
— Ed Aarons (@ed_aarons) August 21, 2017
The Benin international has had an inconsistent career over the years where he has done well in the Championship and then struggled whenever he moved up to the Premier League.
His best spell was at Blackburn Rovers where he had a 1 in 2 goal record which earned him a £6m move to Aston Villa. He struggled a bit at Villa but got another Premier League move (again for around £6m) when he moved to Middlesbrough.
Gestede interest is genuine. Also understand that there is a bid on the table for Jay Roy Grot - 19-year-old Dutch forward at NEC. #lufc
— Phil Hay (@PhilHayYEP) August 21, 2017
The deal to take him to Middlesbrough was done by Victor Orta before he joined Leeds as Director of Football so he knows the player well. He is around 6’4” and very powerful in the air which would suit Leeds’ formation as they play one up front. However, he is less mobile than Chris Wood and thrives on crosses rather than through-balls which could limit the effectiveness of Saiz and Hernandez.
Gestede has featured in Middlesbrough’s four league games this season (three starts, one substitute appearance), scoring one goal which secured a 1-0 win over Sheffield United. As he is in first team plans many Middlesbrough fans don’t see the forward going anywhere.
Gestede plays a big part of how we play now with his knock downs and hold up play, cant really see him going anywhere
— Connor Mullan (@CJ_Mullan) August 21, 2017
Gestede should've had 2 assists on Sat. Huge aerial threat and worth £10m+ in today's market #Boro
— Thomas Moore (@tommy40996) August 21, 2017
The idea of the move has had a mixed reaction from Leeds fans. The more vocal arguments were against at first but people are coming around to the idea.
Underwhelmed by these Gestede rumours to be honest. Wouldn't be my first choice #lufc
— Chris Lee (@Chris1014Lee) August 21, 2017
Not sold on Rudy Gestede, was hoping for better, only reached double figures for one club and he's 29 this year #lufc #mot #alaw
— Mr Vlog (@LeedsVlog) August 21, 2017
Gestede would be a good signing, if we can get Chris Wood to become the championship top scorer, Gestede will do bits here #Lufc
— Luke Collier (@LukeeLUFC) August 21, 2017
What do you think about the idea of Leeds signing Gestede? For what it is worth I think he would make a decent rotation option but I don’t think he will get enough goals to make the job his all season in the way that Chris Wood did.
Let us know what you think in the comments or @mightywhitespod or @ThruItAllLUFC on twitter.