Eddie Nketiah’s return to Arsenal has meant that Leeds United are once again looking for a striker to share the load with Patrick Bamford. While there have been numerous reports linking them to Southampton’s Che Adams, it seems like Southampton will not allow the former Birmingham man to leave St. Mary’s. Thus, they could do better than to turn their attention towards another English striker who has struggled for playing time this season – Andre Gray.
Gray has only started seven Premier League games for Watford so far this season, despite the Hornets being on their third manager of the season. None of them have trusted the former Burnley man so far – he has only managed a woeful 703 minutes of Premier League action across 18 appearances in total, and it seems like Nigel Pearson is also of the opinion that Gray’s time at Vicarage Road is up.
In such a scenario, Leeds should move immediately to try and get him in on loan. They slipped to second in the standings after a 2-0 loss to Sheffield Wednesday last week. While the bookmakers still have them at 8/11 to win the Championship, Marcelo Bielsa knows that he needs quality backup for Bamford, who is often guilty of missing too many opportunities, despite all the qualities he brings to Leeds’ build-up. Leeds are almost certain of finishing in the automatic promotion spots, with bookies offering odds as low as 1/4 for them to be in the top two, while they are at 1/8 to be promoted this season, through any means. Nevertheless, the Championship is an unforgiving division, as Leeds already know too well from their collapse last season, and Bielsa needs quality backup to ensure that they are in the Premier League next season. Gray has experience in the Championship, having scored 23 goals for Burnley in the 2015/16 season to fire them to promotion, and would be able to help out a Leeds side which collapsed from a similar position last season.
Watford certainly do not look like they need him, with Gerard Delofeu, Troy Deeney and Ismaila Sarr being preferred up front to the Englishman. Their superb run of form under Pearson has seen them become odds-on favourites to avoid relegation at 1.25, and Gray has played little part in this resurgence. Watford’s next couple of games in the Premier League see them play Everton and Brighton – they are at 19/10 to beat the Toffees, while bookies have them at 5/2 to overcome the Seagulls. Fans can back the Hornets to avoid relegation with betting offers at thebookiesoffers.co.uk. It would be beneficial for all parties if such a deal could be struck, with only Gray’s wages being a sticking point.
Andre Gray’s impressive record in the Championship, at 41 goals and 18 assists from 88 appearances, makes him a no-brainer for Leeds. He could be just what they need to ensure that they are finally back in the Premier League next season.
