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Leeds United have made contact with Eddie Nketiah with Whites looking to strike a bargain deal for the Arsenal striker in January, claims a report.

The 22-year-old appears surplus to requirements at the Emirates Stadium. He has not played a single minute of Premier League football in 2021-2022. The Londoner will be out of contract in the summer and an exit in January seems inevitable.

Indeed, a number of clubs are being linked with his signature. Crystal Palace and West Ham are both seemingly on his trail, while reports last weekend cited Borussia Monchengladbach as a potential option.

However, according to Tuttomercatoweb, it is Leeds who look the most likely candidates to sign Nketiah. The striker spent six months on loan at Leeds during their promotion season, scoring three goals from appearances 17 appearances. However, just two of those games were starts with Nketiah unable to dislodge Patrick Bamford from the starting line-up.

And while he was supposed to be at Elland Road for the season, his failure to be a regular saw Mikel Arteta recall him at the end of December.

Nketiah though remains good pals with several members of the Leeds squad. He also earned a Championship winners’ medal for his efforts at Elland Road.

And he is reportedly open to the prospect of a return to Elland Road as he weighs up his next move.

Indeed, the report claims director of football Victor Orta has kept a close watch on his progress since his departure at Leeds. And they state that a cut-price January deal looks to be on the cards with Leeds looking light up front.

Indeed, the Whites have struggled to find a clinical edge in front of goal with Bamford having missed the last eight games.

Bamford pushing for Leeds return

Bamford’s absence with an ankle injury represents a hugely-frustrating period for both club and player.

Leeds don’t really have anyone capable of doing his role in the side when he’s not there. As such, his absence has been keenly felt.

And having missed a total of eight games, Bamford will be working hard during the international break on his recovery.

Their next game is against Tottenham on November 21 and Bamford will be working hard on his recovery in an effort to feature.

And speaking to Emma Jones on BBC3’s MOTDX, Bamford provided an update.

“It’s okay, it’s been a little bit slow (the recovery).

“It is (getting better) day by day, it’s just taking a little bit longer than I first thought.

The thing that’s got under my skin a little bit is that I thought I’d be back in four weeks. The fact it’s taken longer than that has been difficult to get my head around.

“But I’m seeing improvements.”

READ MORE: Leeds linked as Newcastle fears intensify over top young talent

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