Leeds United have been crying out for a striker to alleviate the burden held by Patrick Bamford, with the English marksman arguably being a victim of his own success.
During the 2020/21 season, he scored 17 times and assisted a further eight in the Premier League, but has since been plagued with numerous injuries that have only allowed him to play 19 times across the last season and a half.
His continued absence will likely frustrate all those at Elland Road, and although he clearly has the talent to lead the line to arguable perfection for the Whites, manager Jesse Marsch cannot rely on him anymore.
That could therefore explain the recent reports that have linked them with a move for Croatian starlet Dion Drena Beljo, who has admitted to his fondness of the Yorkshire outfit.
In an interview with Sky Sports Germany last week, the 20-year-old detailed his desire to move to the Premier League, with Manchester United, Newcastle United and Leeds named as his three favourite clubs.
Journalist Florian Plettenburg also took to his Twitter to reveal a reported €6m (£5m) price tag as well as the high possibility of a January transfer.
Having started his career at HNK Cibalia, he has since become a mainstay in the NK Osijek side where he boasts nine goals and two assists in just 19 games this season.
Seeing his career take off at this particular club, plus his nationality and hulking size could see him draw comparisons with the legendary Croatian forward Davor Suker.
The six-time Croatian footballer of the year boasted an illustrious career in which he scored 153 goals across spells at Real Madrid and Arsenal, as well as a spectacular 45 goals in just 69 games for Croatia. But his career similarly started at Osijek.
Standing at 6 foot tall, the 54-year-old was a physical marvel who could operate on the wing or as a central striker.
In Beljo, he would likely be confined to the latter given his 6 foot 5 frame.
With this, the towering titan would surely be able to compete with the physical demands of English football and already has the goalscoring talent to acclimatise eventually.
Talent scout Jacek Kulig once lauded him as a “superb young centre forward”, and offered further praise by likening him to Erling Haaland too.
These two outstanding comparisons bode well for Beljo, who seems to have a fine career laid out in front of him, so director of football Victor Orta could do little wrong in launching a move for him, given his admiration for the west Yorkshire outfit.
Should Leeds take a chance on Beljo?
Yes
No
A switch to Elland Road could be perfect, as he would relieve the pressure Bamford likely has to remain fit whilst growing in a carefree environment alongside a solid Premier League club, and at one that he clearly adores.
