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Well, it’s the start of silly season, and Leeds United are already linked with at least one striker. 23 year-old Sam Gallagher of Southampton is one of the latest ones to be linked with a move to Elland Road.
So who is he?
| Leeds are the latest team to express an interest in a deal to sign Sam Gallagher from Southampton this summer. #SaintsFC https://t.co/341xSmCCh2 pic.twitter.com/6o5Q6p1Aoi
— Read Southampton (@ReadSouthampton) May 29, 2019
Former U20 England international striker Gallagher hasn’t exactly set the world on fire at Southampton, only featuring six times for the Saints last year. However, Southampton have a number of other options at striker ahead of him, and Gallagher has a lot of experience in the Championship.
Gallagher spent the 2017-18 season on loan at Birmingham City, and while he did only score six goals in 33 league appearances, he was the team’s leading goal-scorer. The previous year he scored 12 goals in 47 appearances in all competitions for Blackburn Rovers, and that was in a team that ended up being relegated that season.
Long is under contract for one more season. That would be a strong strike force. Gallagher is a good pick up for that price range - Leeds would have better support for him than Rovers or Birmingham did.
— St. Mary's Musings (@StMarysMusings) May 30, 2019
Southampton appears to be ready to move on from Gallagher, and it looks like Gallagher needs a new start. Leeds were one of the top teams in the league in terms of chances created and shots on target, but failing to convert chances plagued the team all season. Gallagher may not have especially gaudy goal scoring numbers, but he hasn’t played for a team that has been able to create as many chances as Leeds have this past year under Bielsa.
Ultimately, Leeds are going to have to be creative in their purchases and loan deals this summer. The club can’t afford to spend wildly like Aston Villa or even Derby County have in the past few years to try and get promoted, so players like Gallagher, who appears to be a little bit of a risk, will be critical towards staying under budget while still strengthening a few areas, such as striker.
Will this deal happen? Perhaps, but Leeds have kept things pretty close to the vest the past two summers, with deals appearing in the press overseas and with the local red tops whiffing a lot of the transfer rumours involving Leeds. 50% chance of this deal actually coming through would be generous.