Looks like Leeds United might be interested in taking another experienced striker on loan. This time, the club is linked with Derby County’s Chris Martin.
#dcfc in advanced talks with #ncfc over deal for striker Cameron Jerome. Also understand #lufc keen on taking Chris Martin on loan. #ccfc also keen, but Derby reluctant to let him go to a promotion rival.
— Rob Dorsett (@RobDorsettSky) January 15, 2018
Sky Sports reported Rob Dorsett reports that Leeds are interested in taking Derby’s Martin on loan for the rest of the season. The 29 year-old Martin has appeared 23 times for Derby this season, mainly as a substitute, and has scored one goal.
However, last season Martin was a key part of a Fulham team that ended up in the playoffs, scoring 10 goals in 31 appearances for the West London club, and previous he had scored 15 goals in 45 appearances for Derby in 2015-16 season.
Leeds have been rumoured to be interested in a striker to replace Chris Wood since the New Zealand international left for Burnley in August. The club brought in Pierre-Michel Lasogga in on loan from Bundesliga side Hamburger SV, but the jury is still out on if he is going to be an adequate replacement. He was brilliant for the first few weeks at the club, but his form and fitness seemed to take a nose dive. He was out of the lineup after being hauled off at half-time in the ugly loss at Brentford, and Kemar Roofe and Caleb Ekuban have been splitting duties as the lone striker up front.
Ekuban is out injured for the second time this season, and as good as Roofe has been in certain games, like against Queens Park Rangers, he’s not been as consistent as you’d like to see from a striker in the 4-2-3-1 formation that Leeds have used exclusively this season.
it won't happen but as a name out of a hat, I'd take Chris Martin from Derby.
— Phil Hay (@PhilHayYEP) January 15, 2018
Martin may not be an expected signing in terms of a permanent deal, but a loan deal could work out for both Derby, who look to be adding reinforcements for a push to an automatic promotion spot, and Leeds, who are looking for a more consistent goal-scoring presence up front. Here’s hoping that Phil Hay’s pessimism is misplaced and Martin comes and does the goods for Leeds.