Relegation-threatened Leeds United are reportedly plotting a January loan swoop to re-sign Newcastle United’s fringe striker Chris Wood.

According to Football Insider, Leeds United are planning a move to re-sign Chris Wood from Newcastle United in the upcoming January transfer window, as an alternative to their current striker options, Patrick Bamford and Rodrigo.

Wood signed for the Magpies in a £25 million move from Burnley during the winter window this year, at a time when they were desperate for a new striker following the injury to talisman Callum Wilson.

The Magpies were looking for a proven Premier League player to help them fight relegation, and Wood became a viable option thanks to a release clause in his contract. Newcastle were never going to miss a chance to not only add a fit player to their roster but weaken a relegation rival at the same time.

Despite scoring just twice last season and adding two more this season, Wood has proven to be a valuable backup option for Eddie Howe’s side. He has fallen further down the pecking order after the summer arrival of Alexander Isak, and has been limited to just four starts in all competitions. The New Zealander, though, has scored two goals, equaling his Toon tally from last season.

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The New Zealand international, who has 18 months left on his deal, may find his game time limited for the remainder of the season, with both Wilson and Isak nearing full fitness, while the Magpies are eyeing potential additions in January to boost their top-four push.

This is evident with recent reports suggesting Newcastle are ready to pay £10 million to sign red-hot Borussia Monchengladbach’s in-demand striker Marcus Thuram in the winter window.

Regardless of his lack of game time, it appears Wood still has a suitor for him in the transfer market, with Leeds identifying him as an ideal stop-gap striker solution as Jesse Marsch looks to stave off the threat of relegation.

The Whites were very close to landing PSV and Dutch World Cup star Cody Gakpo during the summer transfer window. However, Leeds couldn’t get a deal over the line before the transfer deadline, and the Yorkshire side are now likely to be priced out of a deal after his World Cup exploits are likely to attract enormous interest from all quarters.

A short-term loan swoop for Wood would offer Jesse Marsch another solid attacking option. Bamford has battled for fitness and form for a couple of seasons and has been misfiring in front of goal. With Leeds potentially facing another relegation scrap this season, having a different and more straightforward option like Wood to rely on may be a good option.

He may not be seen as an aesthetically pleasing option in attack, but New Zealand’s all-time leading goalscorer is an intimidating presence for opposing defenders and has acted as the gladiator in countless relegation battles with Burnley and Newcastle.

He has also shown in the past that he has an eye for goal, scoring 44 times in 88 games during his previous stint at Elland Road before moving to Burnley in 2017. That being said, according to a recent report by the Telegraph, Newcastle have no plans to let him leave, so this could be one to watch with January window fast approaching.

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