Artem Dovbyk is a potential striking option for Leeds United this summer, with Daniel Farke’s side needing a new centre-forward to spearhead the attack.
The three strikers at the club right now are Lukas Nmecha, Joel Piroe, and Patrick Bamford. However, the latter has been told he has no future at Leeds United beyond this summer.
Despite featuring with just one striker in a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 under Farke, they are still targeting another striker with proven quality, pedigree, and reliability at top flight level — as they eye a third option at the club.
That is perhaps why a new name has emerged of late. Leeds and West Ham United have been linked to Artem Dovbyk of AS Roma and the Whites’ reported interest is because Dovbyk is an alternative to Rodrigo Muniz, with the Fulham striker Leeds’ top target.
Photo by Image Photo Agency/Getty ImagesAS Roma seek Artem Dovbyk replacement amid interest from Leeds
A player of his calibre from his exploits with Spanish side Girona is bound to have other suitors, however. Sides such as Villarreal also like Dovbyk, while AC Milan have been credited with an interest in the 28-year-old as well.
Dovbyk could be available at a cut-price with Roma. In fact, Dovbyk’s agent has already spoken out regarding the Ukrainian striker’s future with the Serie A giants.
It’s said that Dovbyk is keen to leave Roma after just one season in the Italian capital. But then there are other reports which state Dovbyk could be very expensive for Leeds or any other interested party this summer.
Since then, further updates have emerged regarding his future in Rome, with Gian Piero Gasperini explaining the situation as he sees it with Dovbyk.
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Per Filippo Biafora, Gasperini has confirmed that he wants a new striker this summer. He claims he doesn’t dislike Dovbyk but that talks with the hierarchy have centred around an alternative attacker.
Then, per LAROMA24, further words were posted. Gasperini is quoted as saying: “I expect a striker. Yesterday I had a very positive meeting with the owners. Dovbyk? It’s not true that I don’t like him”
Photo by Luciano Rossi/AS Roma via Getty ImagesArtem Dovbyk’s goal record since joining Europe’s ‘Big-Five’ leagues
Dovbyk has had an interesting career with the likes of FC Midtjylland and Dnipro, but he has only featured in La Liga and Serie A for two campaigns thus far.
Having said that, they are two strong seasons from an output perspective. Some might argue the move to Roma hasn’t gone to plan but he has still contributed well to goals.
Dovbyk also has pace and power, which helps when translating performances to Premier League football. That is why he should be considered as an option as a possible Muniz alternative.