Leeds United are facing a transfer battle in the race to sign Spezia striker M'Bala Nzola.

What's the story?

With summer signing Rodrigo yet to really find his feet at Elland Road in terms of scoring goals - he's managed just three in 18 games - it's no surprise to see Marcelo Bielsa's side being linked with a move for a new centre-forward.

According to Italian publication, Tuttosport (via Sport Witness), Leeds are name-checked as one of the clubs monitoring Nzola and considering a transfer move for him.

The report adds that there are also other clubs from England, Germany and Italy who have been closely tracking his progress, with the 24-year-old having only joined Spezia in the summer.

Bye-bye Tyler Roberts

It's been a curious old time for Tyler Roberts this season, with the Wales international making just nine first-team appearances in total for the club.

Last week, reports suggested that a whole host of Championship clubs were interested in luring him away from Elland Road during this transfer window, with Bielsa claiming that he was "unavailable at the moment" in a pre-match press conference on January 2nd.

If Leeds were to snap up Nzola, then that could be the final nail in the coffin for Roberts' long-term future at the club. The Spezia striker has been in superb form in his debut season in Serie A, bagging nine goals in 13 games in the competition, with only six players ahead of him in the league's goal-scoring charts.

And it's Nzola's style of play that will likely appeal to Bielsa, with Metropolitan Magazine describing him as "a very fast central striker who manages to attack space with absolute effectiveness. He is also difficult to deal with because he has enviable physical strength which makes him an extremely uncomfortable customer."

Just like Patrick Bamford, Nzola would be tasked with leading the line on his own and running the hard yards into the channels, behind the opposition defence, and pressing the centre-backs as well.

And as seen by his clinical touch - he's scored every 121 minutes and missed four big chances in 13 games, compared to Bamford who's scored every 146 minutes and missed 12 big chances in 17 games - Nzola could provide a superb option up front.

An efficient goal-scorer, and someone with the kind of footballing characteristics that make him an ideal fit for a Leeds United side under Bielsa. The Whites boss would surely adore the 6 foot centre-forward  if he arrives at Elland Road.

Meanwhile, Leeds must desperately sell this flop...