Leeds United seem to be closing in on a move for a new £26m striker, according to a renowned journalist.

What’s the latest?

That’s per Fabrizio Romano, who took to Twitter to issue the following update on Victor Orta’s pursuit of Georginio Rutter.

He wrote: “Negotiations between Leeds United and Hoffenheim for Georginio Rutter are now very advanced. Fee discussed around €30m, personal terms already agreed.

“Talks will continue in the next hours/days to make him Leeds' second signing after Wober.”

Bamford upgrade

With this move, it seems that Jesse Marsch could finally be set to find a long-term solution for his striking issue.

In the past, Marcelo Bielsa relied heavily on the goalscoring exploits of Patrick Bamford, and for a while, the marksman did not let him down.

The 29-year-old scored 16 goals as they waltzed to the Championship title, and would further silence his critics with a 17-goal and eight-assist haul upon the Whites’ return to the Premier League.

However, since then, injuries have significantly marred his time at Elland Road.

As such, the Englishman has become an unreliable asset having found the net just twice in the last 18 months; a sentiment which the American boss clearly agrees with.

In Rutter, they would regain similar traits to Bamford, in a number nine who is not immune from dropping deep and helping link the play.

Journalist Joe Donnohue offered his own scout report on the Frenchman, as he wrote on Twitter: “He’s physical, beats players 1-v-1, packs a punch with his shooting but equally, is unpolished and as with any transfer above a certain threshold, a calculated risk. That said, think his profile is the type of addition Leeds need in their forward line.”

He continued: “He will lose the ball frequently, because he tries things, but is keen to drop off and link play, as well as run the channels. Has a nice burst of acceleration and can play wider if needs be.”

These attributes suggest he could be a big success in Yorkshire, but at 20 years old there is still plenty for him to learn.

As such, his two goals and two assists in 15 Bundesliga games this season must not be dismissed. He did manage 12 goal contributions the season prior for Hoffenheim, considerably more than Leeds' current number 9 has managed in recent years.

Although unlikely to instantly cover the missing goals Bamford’s injuries have incurred, the mere presence of a true central striker and a willing runner could be imperative in securing safety for Marsch’s side this season. For those very reasons, he would be a considerable upgrade.