Leeds United transfer news: RB Leipzig striker Yussuf Poulsen wanted amid possible Patrick Bamford and Rodrigo exits

Leeds United is “discussing” striker targets in Europe and South America with RB Leipzig’s Yussuf Poulsen in the frame for this summer, Mail Plus reports.

Daniel Farke is currently evaluating the squad he belated inherited last week (4 July) but faces losing his top two forward options, with Patrick Bamford reportedly ready to leave, and Rodrigo subject to heavy transfer interest from the likes of Everton.

The Whites already needed to add at the central striker position and possible options are now under consideration as the German navigates preseason, with Denmark international Poulsen now “one option” to come in at Elland Road.

According to Simon Jones for Mail Plus: “The 29-year-old is not prolific but has a reputation for being a worker.”

Poulsen has 11 goals in 68 international caps, while he has a total of 85 goals and 63 assists in 358 RB Leipzig appearances [Transfermarkt].

It should come as some relief that Leeds United is finally targeting actual central forwards, following window after window of chasing wide attackers or second strikers, to varying degrees of success, while Bamford toiled through endless injury issues.

If he and Rodrigo both leave this summer the Whites will be left with no choice but to address the issue at last, and while Mateo Joseph and Sonny Perkins could be in line to get a crack at leading the line, if they are at Elland Road for the new season, additions via the market seem unavoidable.

While Spanish international Rodrigo stepped into the center-forward role admirably last season and scored 13 Premier League goals, neither Joe Gelhardt nor Georginio Rutter seems suited to lead the line.

Poulsen has extensive Bundesliga and international experience, while Farke will have seen him firsthand while managing Borussia Monchengladbach last term, and could be a solid option if there is adequate scoring ability around him.

But since hitting 15 league goals five seasons ago he hasn’t managed more than five in the German top flight in a single campaign, while he registered just four times in all competitions last season.

It would also be yet another addition from the Red Bull empire, after various last seasons which didn’t ultimately pay dividends.

He has a year left on his contract so shouldn’t be extortionately expensive, but if he is in the club’s sights they are surely going to need to go after a second, more prolific, option in addition.

In other Leeds United news, an exit-linked first-team player could now travel to Norway after agreeing on personal terms as no offer has been put on the table for him to leave.