Leeds United transfer update emerges with Tom Cannon news

Leeds United aren’t overly optimistic on a potential deal to sign Everton striker Tom Cannon this summer, according to Dean Jones.

The former Eurosport journalist, speaking to GiveMeSport (17 August) believes the Whites may not be able to get this deal over the line but understands why they are targeting the Goodison Park youngster giving his character and suitability to Daniel Farke’s style of play.

Tom Cannon makes international ambition clear as Ryan Lowe reinforces transfer hope - LancsLive

Leeds have been linked with a move for Cannon, with some reporting they could pay £8m to sign him permanently, but both look set to miss out on his signature to solve their striker issues, with Preston emerging as the winner sfor his signature [Chronicle Live, 16 August].

Jones said: “Yeah I’m not sure they’re actually going to get this deal done, but I can understand in terms of the character and the style of play, why they would be looking down this path.

“Leeds need to find dependable players and one that fans can actually relate to. So I can understand why they would be looking at someone like Tom Cannon. Coming today, they didn’t seem overly optimistic that they were going to get him.”

With the futures of Crysencio Summerville, Wilfried Gnonto and Luis Sinisterra firmly up in the air entering the final two weeks of the transfer window, a new striker is a priority at Elland Road.

Patrick Bamford’s injury issues remain a huge worry for the season too, while Georginio Rutter and Mateo Joseph are largely unproven and would prove a gamble for Farke to rely on.

With just two weeks of the window to go, the time is certainly running out for the Whites to find their ideal and reliable striker and in all honesty, it would have been harsh on a club of Leeds United’s standing to rely on Cannon to be their solution.

The 20-year-old is a striker still learning his trade and developing and isn’t ready to take on responsibilities at a club that wants an immediate promotion success, despite his burgeoning potential.

Farke desperately needs a reliable Championship goalscorer and there’s one over at Swansea City waiting to be snapped up his £20m price tag is met, and that is Joel Piroe.

If the Whites are serious about their Premier League aspirations, they’d look no further than Piroe, it’s a no-brainer.

It has been a tough start for the Whites on their return to the second tier and after rescuing a point against Cardiff City on the opening day, they were beaten 1-0 by Birmingham City at St Andrew’s on Saturday, with Lukas Jutkiewicz’s stoppage-time penalty sealing all three points for the Blues.

Daniel Farke will again be without Wilfried Gnonto and Luis Sinisterra after he confirmed the duo, along with Helder Costa, are currently training away from the rest of the squad as speculation increases over their future.

The Baggies picked up their first win of the season with a 3-2 victory over Swansea City at The Hawthorns on Saturday.

Semi Ajayi gave Albion the lead in the 18th minute after the Swans’ failed to deal with Darnell Furlong’s long throw, and they took full control of the game after the break, with Carl Rushworth’s own goal doubling their advantage and John Swift adding a third from the penalty spot.

However, the visitors responded, and they pulled one back when Harry Darling headed home in the 74th minute before Nathan Wood finished from close range six minutes later to set up a tense finish, but the hosts held on.

The game sees Baggies manager Carlos Corberan return to Elland Road, where he was previously assistant to Marcelo Bielsa, while was linked with the Leeds vacancy on two occasions this year following Jesse Marsch’s sacking in February and Sam Allardyce’s exit in June.

What did David Prutton predict?

Sky Sports presenter Prutton believes there will be little to separate the two sides on Friday night, predicting a 1-1 draw.

“It is already not looking quite right at Leeds. Players are leaving, some may not want to be there, injuries are already mounting up and results haven’t been there yet,” Prutton said on the Sky Sports website.

“West Brom got an important win over Swansea after losing at Blackburn on opening day. It is still early days to really see what their level is like this season, so I’ll go for a draw here.”