According to Carlton Palmer, Leeds United can recruit FC Midtjylland striker Sory Kaba this summer without paying a “crazy” cost because he was “instrumental” for Cardiff City on loan.
The 27-year-old scored eight Championship goals in 17 appearances for the Blue Birds this season as they survived relegation with a 21st-place finish, and he was watched by Elland Road scouts throughout those heroics [Football League World, 5 June].
With the Guinean forward back at his Danish parent club but with a year left on his contract, BBC analyst Palmer believes the Whites will go ahead and get him for a cheap fee, as he may become a crucial scorer at Elland Road.
“He was very instrumental in Cardiff retaining their Championship status, scoring eight goals and one assist in 17 games,” Palmer told Football League World.
“He will be a viable option for Leeds, who need some more firepower to get out of the Championship next season.”
“You’d think he could be a 20-goal man in a better team and better service, and with only a year left on his contract, the fee wouldn’t be too outrageous.”
With Patrick Bamford’s constant injury issues piling strain on the number nine’s shoulders over the last two Premier League seasons, Leeds United have been in desperate need of another out-and-out striker for some time.
Rodrigo scored a lot of goals last season, but the Spain international is expected to be one of the players that departs the club after relegation this summer.
Unless the next manager is willing to rely on the free-scoring under-21s strikers Mateo Joseph and Sonny Perkins, another option will need to be brought in.
Joe Gelhardt will return from his loan spell at Sunderland and will almost certainly be given more opportunities now given his expertise with the second division, but he is better suited to playing off a major striker.
Georginio Rutter is the wildcard in the situation, after his club-record January acquisition from Hoffenheim yielded next to nothing in relegation production.
The 21-year-old is anticipated to stay for the Championship promotion campaign, but his adaptation to English football is yet unknown, so if the Whites recruit a striker this summer, Kaba has shown that he can score in this division.
And if Palmer is correct that the charge is modest, the move makes sense.
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