Victor Orta could sign Leeds a real upgrade on Patrick Bamford in Celtic striker Odsonne Edouard amid Noel Whelan's transfer claim.

What's the story?

The Frenchman has been linked with a move away from Celtic Park in recent months and has been touted with a switch to the Premier League, with the likes of Arsenal and Aston Villa said to be interested.

Whelan has now thrown Marcelo Bielsa's side into the ring and claimed that the 23-year-old seems perfectly built to shine at Elland Road and that he's a "big fan" of his work.

Speaking on BBC Radio Leeds, the ex-Whites player said: "I do think we need another striker, no doubt about that. I have been thinking for over two seasons now.

"Edouard at Celtic. I have been a big fan of him for a long time. He is my choice. He has got the stature, he has got the work rate, he can take set pieces."

Upgrade on Bamfprd

While Bamford has led the line superbly for Leeds this season - he's bagged 14 Premier League goals for the newly-promoted Whites - Edouard's arrival would give Bielsa the perfect all-round striker.

In his time at Celtic, the young Frenchman has proven to be a prolific goalscorer, averaging a goal every other game - he's scored 81 times in just 162 matches for the Bhoys.

The 23-year-old isn't just a predatory number nine, though, also displaying impressive link-up play and touch to get the rest of his team-mates involved - he's chipped in with five assists in 26 league games this campaign.

When you look at both Bamford and Edouard's numbers this season in terms of all the key attacking stats, it's the latter who comes out on top.

As per Sofascore, the France under-21 international has a better goals per minutes ratio, has missed far fewer big chances, and has a better goal conversion rate, too - all signs which point to him just being a far more clinical number nine.

Even when it comes the build-up play and defensive work which Bielsa may prize just as much, it's Edouard who once again comes out looking the better. He averages more key passes per game, a better passing accuracy, completes triple the amount of dribbles per match, and wins more total duels in comparison to Bamford.

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Dubbed as "talismanic" by former Celtic boss Neil Lennon, the £13.5m-rated Edouard has the finishing touch and "stature", as Whelan says, to be a real threat for Leeds, and could represent a genuine upgrade on Bamford in attack.

Meanwhile, Leeds are eyeing a summer move for this Premier League starlet...