Leicester City told to "avoid" move for Leeds United outcast to replace Jamie Vardy | OneFootball

FLW's Leicester City fan pundit has given his view on whether the club should make a move for Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Leicester City are preparing for life back in the Championship following their relegation from the Premier League.

After a nightmare season in the Premier League that saw them accumulate just 25 points, Leicester made an immediate return to the Championship, and they parted company with manager Ruud van Nistelrooy last month.

The likes of Sean Dyche, Danny Rohl, Chris Wilder and Gary O'Neil were all linked with the Foxes after van Nistelrooy's exit, but the club appointed former QPR head coach Marti Cifuentes as their new manager last week, with the 43-year-old signing a three-year contract at the King Power Stadium.

Leicester are one of only three Championship clubs who are yet to bring in a new signing this summer, along with Middlesbrough and troubled Sheffield Wednesday, and one of the biggest tasks for Cifuentes will be to find a replacement for Jamie Vardy, who departed this summer after an illustrious 13-year spell at the club, during which he scored 200 goals in 500 appearances.

One player the Foxes could target is Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford, who looks certain to leave Elland Road this summer after manager Daniel Farke revealed that he will not be part of his plans in the Premier League next season.

Bamford has been a key player for the Whites for much of the last seven years since his arrival from Middlesbrough in the summer of 2018 in a deal worth up to £10 million, but he made just 17 substitute appearances in the league last season as the West Yorkshire outfit won the second tier title, and he failed to score a single goal.

Leicester City warned against Patrick Bamford, Leeds United swoop

When asked if the club should consider making a move for Bamford this summer, FLW's Leicester City fan pundit Louchlainn Martin insisted the 31-year-old should not be on the Foxes' radar, and he instead urged the club to target younger options in the forward areas.

"Leicester fans are pretty much in agreement that we do need a striker this summer with Jamie Vardy departing the club," Louchlainn told FLW.

"We're pretty much stuck with Jordan Ayew and Patson Daka, and both of their contracts expire at the end of the season.

"Patrick Bamford is a name that has been spoken about because Daniel Farke has told him he's not a part of his plans at Leeds United.

"However, I do think Bamford will be low down on a lot of fans' wish lists this summer, and I don't think he's the type of player we should be targeting.

"I think Leicester fans would prefer someone younger.

"I understand the argument that, as a like-for-like replacement for Vardy with his experience, he could be an option, but I disagree with that completely.

"I would say that even a 38-year-old Vardy is a better finisher and all-round striker than Bamford.

"There are parts to Bamford's game that would suit Marti Cifuentes' football, such as the high press, and I do believe that he is good at that and could bring that, but I just don't think he's what we should be looking for.

"Of course, Bamford is still under contract at Leeds, which means, although it would be a cheap deal, it would still demand a transfer fee, and his wages would not be as low as what we could get elsewhere.

"Bamford isn't a striker that we should be looking at this summer, I think there are better free agents and loan signings out there.

"With Leicester looking to return to the Premier League within two years, we probably want a striker who can grow into the team and is capable of playing in the Premier League within a year or two.

"Bamford's not getting any younger, and I don't think he's the guy that fits that, so I would rather look at younger options and loan players.

"If we can't get any of them, then we should stick with Jordan Ayew for now as he's already at the club.

"Avoid Bamford is what I would say."

Leicester City could face major Patrick Bamford stumbling block

While it was a frustrating campaign for Bamford last season as he struggled to break into the Leeds starting line-up, he has proven that he can be a prolific scorer at Championship level previously, so he could be a strong Vardy replacement for Leicester.

However, Bamford's last goal for the Whites came all the way back in April 2024, and he had a number of injury problems last season, so Foxes supporters may understandably have reservations about the potential signing of the former England international.

According to Capology, Bamford is estimated to earn £70,000-a-week at Leeds, and while he may be willing to take a pay cut to join Leicester, given the club's well-documented financial problems, it is still highly unlikely they would be able to afford his salary.