Good Morning. It's Wednesday 28th January, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road...
As relegation duo strengthen, is time running out for Leeds?
Nottingham Forest's proposed £35m bid for Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta could have a devastating impact on Leeds United's top transfer target, Jorgen Strand Larsen, in this summer's window. The animosity between Forest and Palace, stemming from Forest taking Palace's Europa League spot due to Uefa's multi-club ownership rules breach, may be set aside by the promise of a substantial sum. However, Palace manager Oliver Glasner is keen to have a direct replacement in place before allowing Mateta to depart. This is where Leeds come in, with Glasner reportedly viewing Strand Larsen as the ideal alternative to fill the void.
With just days remaining until the transfer window slams shut, striking options are dwindling. Third from bottom West have already made significant signings in Taty Castellanos (£26m) and Pablo (£20m), (both centre forwards) and may look to offload Lucas Paquetá to bring in a new centre-back and goalkeeper before the transfer window slams shut. They have also bought in Venezuela International midfielder Keiber Lamadri on loan. The Hammers are trying to use their second loan slot for Chelsea reject Axel Disasi which could be the reason why Leeds have switched their attention to Ben Chilwell.
Nottingham Forest, just one point below Leeds, are also bolstering their attacking options with the loan arrival of Napoli's Lorenzo Lucca and pursuit of £40m-rated Mateta - leaving Leeds under pressure to act quickly. Goals are paramount, and landing Strand Larsen would be a massive coup for Leeds. The rumour mills insist the Norweigan International is keen to move to Elland Road, so what is the hold up?
Gray celebrates first league goal with Coke Zero
Teenage sensation Harry Gray made his mark in senior football with a stunning goal for Rotherham United in a thrilling 2-1 win over Northampton Town. The 17-year-old striker's maiden goal couldn't have come at a better time, as the home side snapped an 11-game winless streak in League One. Gray's loan move from Leeds United to Rotherham was a bold decision, opting for a side mired near the bottom of the third tier but it could be paying dividends. The ambitious teenager has wasted no time in making an impact, providng a much-needed spark for the Millers with his clinical finish.
Manager Paul Warne praised Gray's immediate impact, stating that he, along with fellow winter recruit Mannyender Singh, have been instrumental in changing the team's fortunes. As Gray celebrated his historic goal, Warne jokingly reminded him to keep his celebrations in check, telling reporters 'He’ll have to celebrate with a Coke Zero'. With Gray now off the mark, fans from both Leeds and Rotherham will be hoping this will be the first of many this term, as the Millers look to distance themselves from the bottom four.
