Leeds have got to rival Aston Villa for £8m-rated Premier League striker

Add as preferred source on Google

Kemar Roofe finished at the top of the goalscoring rankings for Leeds United last summer but with just 15 goals, Marcelo Bielsa needs a proven goalscorer who can send the Whites back to the Premier League.

Roofe struggled to avoid injury as did Patrick Bamford, who failed to live up to his hefty price tag after being brought in from Middlesbrough at the start of the campaign. Leeds miss a Chris Wood-like striker.

New Zealand star Wood scored 30 goals during 2016-17 before moving to Burnley, where he continues to shine. That kind of striker works at Elland Road, and Charlie Austin would be the ideal candidate this summer.

The Sun claim Aston Villa are rivalling Crystal Palace and Championship duo Fulham and West Brom for his signature. It is believed Southampton want £8million for the 29-year-old powerhouse.

With just 12 months remaining on his £70,000-a-week (Spotrac) Southampton contract, Ralph Hasenhuttl is trying to get rid of the Englishman and it appears a race is beginning to unravel.

Austin has an excellent goalscoring rate in the Championship, netting 66 times in just 129 league games during spells at Burnley and QPR, and would be the perfect summer signing to combine with Helder Costa.

Yes, his wages are excessive for Leeds, especially after the Whites are said to have just splashed £15million on Portugal international Costa. But if Austin is willing to take a pay cut, there is no reason why Leeds should not move.

Adding Austin to Bielsa’s side will give the Whites all the tools they need to go on and gain promotion to the Premier League, ending a 16-year wait in League One and the Championship.