Leeds register interest in new striker target as three-way Championship battle forms for 134-goal finisher

Venezia striker Joel Pohjanpalo

Venezia striker Joel Pohjanpalo

Leeds United have registered their interest in Venezia striker Joel Pohjanpalo, but face competition from two other teams in the Championship, according to reports.

Finding a new centre-forward remains on the agenda for Leeds after their relegation to the Championship. For their opening game of the season on Sunday, which was a 2-2 draw with Cardiff City, Wilfried Gnonto led the line. However, he is one of various Leeds players still being linked with an exit.

There have been contrasting claims regarding Gnonto’s immediate future, but Leeds remain at risk until the transfer window closes.

And after already losing last season’s top scorer Rodrigo Moreno to Al Rayyan in Qatar, coupled with a deterioration in the reliability of Patrick Bamford, Leeds need to find some new inspiration in the centre-forward role.

According to Corriere Del Veneto, they have now expressed an interest in Pohjanpalo. The Finnish striker has scored 134 goals at club level during his career so far, including 19 in Serie B last season.

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Although he has never played in English football before, he has caught the attention of a Championship trio. In addition to Leeds, there is interest from Blackburn Rovers and Norwich City.

Both of those clubs have lost key attackers on free transfers in recent months. Ben Brereton Diaz left Blackburn for Villarreal, and Teemu Pukki left Norwich for Minnesota United.

Pukki, coincidentally, is an international teammate of Pohjanpalo for Finland.

Pohjanpalo could alternatively remain in Italy by stepping up to Serie A with Cagliari. However, his future is all to play for.

Venezia prepare for Pohjanpalo sale

In a sign that Venezia are preparing for his exit after just one season, they have reportedly identified Massimo Coda from Genoa as the replacement they will pursue.

It is not yet clear how much a move for Pohjanpalo could cost any of his suitors. But after averaging slightly better than a goal every other game last season, he could be worth a try if the requests are reasonable.

His career so far has seen him take in destinations such as HJK Helsinki, Bayer Leverkusen and Union Berlin. He has played in the second tiers of Finland, Germany and Italy, so England could be next on his agenda.

There may even be a chance for him to reach the Premier League if rumoured interest from West Ham can materialise. However, the 28-year-old may get more continuity in the Championship.