da marjack bet： Leeds United striker Chris Wood enjoyed an outstanding season for the Yorkshire outfit after scoring 30 goals in all competitions, and it is form that is sure to attract attention from a number of Premier League clubs this summer.
da bwin： Garry Monk’s men looked set to secure a Championship play-off spot having spent the majority of the campaign in the top six, but a poor run of form in the closing stages saw them miss out.
It has put the division’s top goalscorer and New Zealand international’s future at Elland Road into doubt, with every team always looking for a prolific marksman.
Even though the 25-year-old says he expects to be with the club next term, the summer transfer window is yet to open and things can change very quickly.
Monk – if he is to stay – will already be sounding out potential targets this summer and one area he will be looking at is up top should the striker go.
Here are five potential Chris Wood replacements for Leeds…
Sam Gallagher
Having made 20 appearances in all competitions for Southampton under Mauricio Pochettino during the 2013/14 campaign, the striker looked to have a bright future on the south coast.
However, he hasn’t played for Saints since then and a disappointing loan spell with MK Dons last season looked to have sealed his fate.
However, the 21-year-old joined Blackburn Rovers on a season-long loan deal at the start of the current campaign and he made a huge impression despite the club suffering relegation to League One.
The tall attacker scored 12 goals and provided a further four assists in 47 appearances in all competitions for Rovers, and showed the ability he has by scoring a range of different goals.
He certainly has the potential to replace Wood if the New Zealand international leaves for the top flight.
Lasse Vibe
Like Wood and Gallagher, the Brentford striker enjoyed a brilliant campaign in the Championship for the Bees after scoring 15 goals and providing a further seven assists in 36 appearances in all competitions for the club this term.
A centre-forward in a similar mould to the Leeds attacker, the Dane has proven he has the technical ability and finishing prowess to have another prolific season at this level.
One thing that could count against him is the fact that he is 30 years of age, with Leeds perhaps looking to bring in a younger player – especially if Vibe commands a large transfer fee.
Patrick Bamford
While he has often impressed in the Championship, Bamford has struggled time and time again to make the step up to the Premier League.
The 23-year-old scored his first English top flight goal in Middlesbrough’s 2-1 home defeat against Southampton on Saturday at the 26th time of asking.
Boro only signed the striker for £5.5m from Chelsea last summer but after struggling to break into the first team and following the club’s relegation, it is far from certain that he will remain at the Riverside Stadium.
However, having scored 17 Championship goals for the Teesside outfit in the 2013/14 campaign, he has shown that he has something to offer at this level and Leeds could be tempted to make a move for him if Wood leaves.
Tammy Abraham
There is no doubt that Leeds will be one of the clubs interested in signing Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham this summer, but they will be joined by the majority of their Championship rivals and a number of Premier League sides too if the Blues decide to let him go.
The 19-year-old attacker enjoyed a memorable season on loan at Bristol City after scoring 26 goals in 48 appearances in all competitions for Lee Johnson’s strugglers, and he returns to Stamford Bridge as a wanted man.
It would certainly be a coup if Leeds could bring him to Elland Road on a loan deal, as he has proven that he could replace the goals of Wood if the New Zealand international makes the step up to the Premier League.
Alfredo Ortuno
Leeds appointed former Real Madrid executive Ivan Bravo as a director in April, and the arrival of the Spaniard could mean that the club looks to Spain for new recruits this summer.
The Yorkshire outfit already had Pablo Hernandez and Alfonso Pedraza on loan this season, and they could choose to take a closer look at Ortuno if Wood moves on to pastures new.
The 26-year-old striker joined Segunda Division outfit Cadiz on a season-long loan deal from Las Palmas last summer and scored 17 goals in 36 appearances for the club.
With his contract due to run out next year, he could be available for a decent price too.
Do you agree, Leeds fans? Let us know below.