Transfer Speculation
As per one of the latest reports by Daily Mail, Leeds United have put Peterborough United striker, Jack Marriott, on their radar. Apart from the Whites, their fellow Championship rivals, Sheffield Wednesday and Nottingham Forest, are also following him closely and are expected to try to make him sign on the dotted line once the transfer window opens in the summer.
Fact File & Season So Far
Marriott emerged through the youth ranks of Ipswich Town and was eventually promoted to the senior side of the Tractor Boys. However, he couldn’t cement his place and as a result, he was shipped out on loan to Woking, Gillingham, Carlisle United and Colchester United before he signed permanently for Luton Town in the summer of 2015.
He was exceptional up front when he plied his trade for the Hatters, which persuaded Peterborough United to lure him to the London Road Stadium last summer. He has engineered a spectacular season for himself in the third division of English football as he has smashed 26 goals in 41 appearances and no wonder some of the clubs in the second tier have placed him on their radar.
Attributes
Marriott is a cunning striker who has showcased immense calibre in the final third. His work-rate has been appealing this season and the manner in which he links up with his teammates has also been commendable. The 23-year-old is a clinical finisher and operates with sheer predatory instincts inside the box. Moreover, he has raw pace and is someone who is very tough to mark.
Do Leeds United Need Him?
Leeds United have had a disastrous season in the Championship and there is no denying that Paul Heckingbottom is likely to bring reinforcements in the summer. After the departure of Chris Wood to Burnley, the Peacocks have not been able to fill the void and the likes of Caleb Ekuban and Pierre-Michel Lasogga have flattered to deceive.
To better their credentials next season and to mount a serious challenge for promotion to the Premier League, they must sign a prolific goal-getter. Marriott has excelled incredibly this season and must be craving for a move to a better club in the summer. However, Peterborough United have slapped a price tag of £5m on his head and thus, it will certainly be intriguing to see whether the Yorkshire based outfit fork out the aforesaid amount for a striker in the 3rd division.
Statistics Credits: WhoScored