Leeds United eyeing a swoop for Championship goal-getter: A good replacement for Wood?

Leeds United have suffered from a massive setback of late as they have succumbed to the temptation of the transfer fee, which is believed to be in the vicinity of £15million, tabled by Premier League outfit Burnley earlier this week to let Chris Wood make a move to Turf Moor. The New Zealand international banged in 27 league goals in the Championship last season and emerged as one of the hottest properties from the English second division last term.

A step upward was anticipated for Wood and the same eventually happened and it goes without saying that the Clarets have bagged a striker of exceptional calibre who would be itching to ply his trade and prove his goal scoring potential in the top flight.

However, the exit of the 25-year-old target man has indeed left a massive void in Thomas Christiansen’s attacking arsenal and the Whites are in a dire need of securing the services of a decent striker who could score goals on a regular basis.

Apparently, one of the players who has fallen on the radar of the West Yorkshire based outfit is Middlesbrough’s striker Rudy Gestede. Further, as per one of the latest reports by The Daily Star, the Smoggies have declined Leeds United’s bid of £5.5million for Gestede. Garry Monk has plenty of attacking options, with the likes of Britt Assombalonga, Martin Braithwaite, Ashley Fletcher and Patrick Bamford already in his ranks and would be keen to derive a substantial windfall by letting Gestede leave Riverside Stadium.

Movement of a player who is deemed as a surplus for one side could be a massive boon for the other, for the 28-year-old has plenty of experience under his belt, having plied his trade for sides such as Aston Villa, Cardiff City and Blackburn Rovers and is well familiar with the animosity which English football has on offer. The Benin international is a big striker and has the requisite physicality to play for a notable side like Leeds United.

Gestede is good in the air, doesn’t refrain from getting into intense physical battles, is fairly clinical and links up with his teammates in an astute manner in the final third. He is a proven striker in the Championship and would be a good replacement for Chris Wood.

Although his career has stagnated to an extent after leaving Blackburn Rovers, a move to the ranks of Christiansen could help him getting back on track.