Fresh transfer twist in Leeds United's long-term pursuit of Southampton striker Che Adams - Hampshire Live 31/7/22

Leeds United have been heavily linked with Southampton striker Che Adams over the years with the Whites failing to sign the Scotland international on loan in January 2020

Leeds United could consider reviving their long-term interest in Southampton striker Che Adams this summer.

The Scotland international has previously been linked with the Whites, who failed in their attempts to sign Adams on loan in January 2020 after a difficult start to life with Southampton following his move from Birmingham City in the summer of 2019. Saints paid £15million to sign the striker from the Championship side three years ago and he failed to score in any game for the club until June 2020, when he scored the winner against Manchester City.

Now, The Sun claim Leeds are hoping their Premier League rivals will take a £5million loss on Adams as they reportedly prepare a surprise move for the striker. It is suggested Leeds would like to do business at around £10million, but reports elsewhere suggest Adams is not a priority target for Leeds right now, according to The Athletic.

Adams has been a regular feature at Southampton having made 110 appearances for the club, scoring 21 goals. Last season, the Scotland striker played in 30 Premier League games and was Saints’ second highest scorer with seven goals in the top flight.

Only James Ward-Prowse scored more with ten Premier League goals in total, whereas loanee Armando Broja and Mohamed Elyounoussi had a higher tally in all competitions, with nine and eight goals respectively. Adams has played in four of five pre-season friendlies ahead of the new season but has failed to score a single goal. He was an unused substitute in the 2-1 loss against Villarreal on Saturday.

Saints have recently bolstered their attacking options this summer with the arrival of Sekou Mara from Bordeaux for £12million, while Ralph Hasenhuttl has hinted that Southampton will add another forward before the end of the summer transfer window, with Mara, Adams and Adam Armstrong currently the club's recognised strikers after Broja returned to parent club Chelsea this summer and Shane Long left on a free transfer, returning to former club Reading.

Adams could, therefore, face fresh competition for first-team opportunities in the upcoming season and Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl will give an idea of what his preferred starting lineup will look like in the Premier League opener against Tottenham Hotspur next weekend. He has not ruled out departures from the squad this summer, after six summer arrivals to date. But Southampton are unlikely to be wanting to lose any strikers, as things stand, with only three forwards, including Adams, in the current squad.

After the loss to Villarreal, the Austrian said on his current options: “I think we should look at all the performances we have made so far in pre-season. We have to find the right team and we will be sure that we will find a team that is competitive against Tottenham.”