Former Leeds United man Noel Whelan has outlined how the side must complete the signing of reported target Che Adams if they are serious about promotion.

The Whites are currently down to the bare bones of their squad following the unsurprising departures of both Eddie Nketiah and Jack Clarke who returned back to their parent clubs following a lack of game time.

This has left Marcelo Bielsa with just one recognised striker in the senior squad heading into the January transfer window and in desperate need of bringing in an extra player to keep on course for automatic promotion.

It has been a struggle this season for Patrick Bamford who has 10 goals so far this season in the league and could have doubled that, given the chances he has been presented with.

Leeds are reportedly in talks with Southampton over a potential loan of their summer signing Che Adams, and the clubs are locked in discussion over a deal at present, as per Phil Hay of The Athletic:

This link obviously sparked a lot of tension from everyone affiliated with Leeds, knowing that they cannot afford to let a deal like this slip away like Daniel James did last season. Speaking to Football Insider, Noel Whelan commented on this link and was incredibly keen to see the Whites get the deal over the line as soon as possible. He stated: “When you just look at his performances, he had a great game against Chelsea, set one up the other day for Southampton.

“He’s 23-years of age, we’ve shown how desperately we need a striker and we’ve shown on many occasions we need strength in depth, something we don’t have.

“If Leeds are serious about bringing that experience in, a proven goalscorer, well it’s right there for you now.

“You’ve seen enough on Saturday that we need strength in depth in that area, we need someone who is not going to be 21 or 18, we need someone that’s proven, can score goals in the Championship, someone that has every attribute straight away so they can join this group of players straight away.

“He’s the one, he’s the one, now if Leeds United are going to put all their eggs in one basket and that’s the one you want...show your commitment then.

“Stop messing about, get the money put down and get it done, get the player in because we need it before QPR.”

The Whites face Queens Park Rangers on Saturday afternoon with currently just Patrick Bamford as a striker, so the chase is on to add to Bielsa’s squad before it becomes too late.

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The Verdict

It’s what every Leeds fan will be thinking at the moment, especially given how the last January window went with James from Swansea, so there is so much pressure building at Elland Road to land these targets.

If Leeds do complete the signing of Adams this window, then it will lay down a huge marker to the rest of the league, given his outstanding season for Birmingham last term.

The two clubs appear to be locked in a stalemate at the minute as they negotiate the payment behind this deal, but Leeds simply cannot afford not to get a deal done of this calibre.