Report: Leeds United now want Nottingham Forest striker Sam Surridge

Leeds United are keen to sign Nottingham Forest striker Sam Surridge during the summer transfer window. The Reds striker is a wanted man and new boss Daniel Farke has earmarked him as a target.

According to The Athletic, Leeds will move for Surridge. It does seem likely as though the Whites could get lucky too, with the 24-year-old likely to favour the chance to play first-team football next season.

The 2022/23 campaign proved a frustrating one for Surridge at Forest. He only started once in the Premier League and that came on the opening day of the season at Newcastle United.

A lack of game time meant that the Forest striker managed just one goal in the Premier League. That came against Bournemouth during a 1-1 draw and afterward, Steve Cooper called him ‘excellent’ for his efforts.

Surridge signed for the Reds during the January transfer window in 2022. He had worked with Cooper at Swansea and he thrived under the boss, scoring eight times as Forest won promotion to the Premier League.

At 24, the striker will be desperate for some regular game time. With Taiwo Awoniyi likely to spearhead the Forest attack again next year, it does look unlikely that Surridge will play much again.

Leeds will undergo a bit of a rebuild this summer. They were relegated from the Premier League after failing to win any of their final eight matches after defeating Forest at Elland Road in April.

Farke has been appointed as the new manager at Leeds. He’s a proven Championship promotion-winner and his first remit will be to add some firepower to his ranks for next season.

Leeds wants Surridge from Forest

In an ideal world, Forest would be an established Premier League side and Surridge would get more opportunities to play for the Reds. However, that isn’t the case and Forest will likely go in search of better.

This is a move that makes perfect sense. Leeds will want a proven goalscorer to spearhead their promotion charge next season and Surridge fits that criteria pretty well.

Forest might choose to simply loan him out, however. Given his age, the consensus could be that he will improve in the future and perhaps a decision on his long-term future can be made next summer.

If this move gets over the line, it would be one that would suit pretty much all parties. The Reds need to shift players this summer and Surridge would get the chance to play far more games in the Championship.