Leeds have taken the lead in the race for Southampton forward Che Adams this month, according to reports.
Nottingham Forest had looked to be the club most likely to sign the 23-year old striker earlier this week, but after Leeds registered their interest on Thursday, the Yorkshire club have leapfrogged their Championship rivals.
That is according to Football Insider, who also claim that Leeds have not been put off by Ralph Hasenhuttl’s public stance over Adams’ immediate future.
The Austrian coach spoke to media on Friday to confirm that he has no intention of letting Adams leave St Mary’s on loan during this transfer window, although Leeds haven’t been deterred.
Football Insider’s report claims that a Leeds insider has explained that the Whites have received greater encouragement over a possible deal behind the scenes.
With Marcelo Bielsa’s men having recently lost Eddie Nketiah, with the 20-year old having been recalled by Arsenal, the Argentine has given the green light for the club to push hard to bring Adams to Elland Road.
Adams hasn’t scored in any of his 17 appearances for the Saints this season, while he scored 22 times in the Championship last season.
Read Southampton Verdict
While it might not be the most ideal of situations for Adams at the moment, he will only ever break his Premier League goalscoring duck by persevering and working hard to take his chances.
Adams’ loan spell with Leeds would likely be prosperous for him, but it would hardly positively impact his long-term aspirations as a Premier League player.
Hasenhuttl doesn’t want to let him go, and if he stands firm, then it shouldn’t matter how hard Leeds push.
