Leeds United should only sell Kemar Roofe to Southampton if Shane Long heads the other way

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Leeds United are looking like having a fight on their hands to keep hold of star attacker Kemar Roofe in January.

Football Insider reports that Burnley, Brighton and Southampton are all interested in the player.

Southampton certainly look like they need further reinforcements, with a relegation battle looking likely in the Premier League at present.

Leeds should only sell Roofe for a fair price, which at the moment is likely to be in the region of £10 million. But they should also make sure they get a player as part of the bargain.

Because one striker at Southampton would be the perfect attacker for Marcelo Bielsa’s style.

Shane Long would be excellent in the current Leeds set-up. The 31-year-old, who has played 81 times for Ireland, scoring 17 goals, has the pace and work ethic to replace Roofe should Leeds decide to put a deal together. As for Championship pedigree, he has that in abundance. In his final season in the second-tier with Reading he scored 21 goals in 44 games.

Leeds would be foolish to let Roofe go on the cheap. But if a big money offer from Southampton arrived, with the added sweetener of Long, then it might prove difficult to turn down.