Leeds United have been handed a huge boost in their bid to bring Che Adams to Elland Road this summer.

What's the talk?

That's according to a recent report by The Athletic, in which it is claimed that, following a number of reports linking Victor Orta with a move for the 26-year-old in recent weeks, Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl is believed to be open to the centre-forward's sale this summer, thus giving the Spanish director and any other willing suitors the thumbs up to launch a bid for the Scotland international.

Previous reports have suggested that Saints would be looking for an offer in the region of £10m in order to sanction the departure of the former Birmingham City starlet, while Nottingham Forest are also thought to be interested in a deal for the Southampton striker over the remainder of the summer window.

Imagine him & Bamford

While Adams may not be a Leeds signing who arouses quite as much excitement amongst the Elland Road faithful as the likes of Charles De Ketelaere, Arnaud Kalimuendo or Martin Terrier - all three of whom have been linked with the Whites this summer - it is nevertheless easy to see why Orta would be interested in a deal to bring the 26-year-old to LS11 prior to September's transfer deadline.

[snack-amp-story url= "https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-leeds-united-news-transfer-rumours-gossip-and-much-much-more" title= "Read the latest Leeds news, transfer rumours and more!"]

Indeed, over his 30 Premier League appearances in 2021/22, the £16.2m-rated forward was in fine form for Southampton, bagging seven goals, providing three assists and creating six big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 1.6 shots, making 0.9 key passes and completing 0.7 dribbles per game.

These metrics saw the £52k-per-week talent average an impressive SofaScore match rating of 6.85, ranking him as Hasenhuttl's joint sixth-best performer in the top flight of English football last time out.

And, when comparing Adams' returns to those of Marsch's first-team squad last season, not only would the 26-year-old rank as the club's third-highest goalscorer in the league but also as the second-highest big chance creator and joint seventh-best performer overall.

As such, the prospect of the 26-year-old lining up alongside a fit-again Patrick Bamford - who scored 17 goals over 38 Premier League appearances back in 2020/21 - in the Whites' attack this season will certainly be an extremely tantalising one for Marsch, especially if the player who Ross McCafferty dubbed "unreal" is available for a figure in the region of just £10m this summer.