Adama Traore Can Rediscover Sparkling Form With a Transfer to Leeds

Upon their much-anticipated return, Leeds have brought the fun factor that every newly-promoted side should aspire to bring to the Premier League.

Be it Patrick Bamford shocking the world and actually thriving in the top flight or Marcelo Bielsa quietly sipping his coffee on the touchline before going absolutely bonkers, the Whites have been the ones to watch for rival fans this season, and for all the right reasons.

Their squad still needs work, however. By no means are they among the worst sides in the league or a serious contender for relegation, but there are clear limitations. Bielsa's magic will only be able to power a squad that simply isn't at a high enough level for so long, thus reinforcements must come in soon in order to ease the transition.

90min understands Leeds are interested in Adama Traore, whose future at Wolves is up in the air despite such an impressive 2019/20 campaign. The winger is yet to sign a new deal at Molineux and is now considering leaving the club in order to play more regularly elsewhere, and Leeds would be the ideal place for him to become the Brock Lesnar of the football world - mercurial, talented and absolutely massive.

Has he been in the greatest of form this season? No. Is he a direct answer to the problems in the Leeds squad currently? Not really. But would he add to an already unrelenting fun factor in Yorkshire and blossom an incredible partnership with his mysterious Argentine head coach? Absolutely.

It's a statement signing that would take the Whites to the next level, and continue the joyride that is them tirelessly trying to outscore opponents no matter how many they might concede.

The signings of Illan Meslier, Robin Koch, Raphinha and Rodrigo were a strong start from Leeds ahead of their return to the top flight and follow a consistent profile. With time, they'll improve further and become assets to the squad should they continue to build around them. Traore being a winger might not be a position they need to prioritise, but completing a signing of that stature is a statement and gives the team a key man to look towards.

Traore has failed to register a goal or an assist in his first 15 games in all competitions this season, but that doesn't tell us the whole story. Contract discussions have clouded his campaign since the beginning of the season, which has undoubtedly played a part in his downturn in form. At his best, the Spaniard - who received full international honours for the first time in October 2020 - is an athletic masterpiece with a seriously impressive engine, sharp turn of pace and has more recently added end product to his game.

His career best contribution of six goals and 12 assists in all competitions last season is testament to that significant improvement, which would no doubt add a new dimension to Leeds' attack.

While Leeds fans might be concerned with recruitment in the wrong areas, there's no reason to be concerned about what spending to bring Adama to the club would wield. The winger blossomed in a partnership with Bamford in the Championship with Middlesbrough. The pair were responsible for ripping Leeds to shreds when Bamford scored a hat-trick against his current employers during a 3-0 win in 2018. Reuniting the two at Leeds in the top flight is guaranteed to bring an unrelenting fun factor to the side under Bielsa's tutelage and cause a severe headache for opponents.

Not only would Traore bring another attacking edge to Leeds' already sharpened sword, but his versatility would also prove fruitful. Bielsa and director of football Victor Orta are said to be hot on the 24-year-old, which makes sense because of his skill in a number of positions. Traore could easily fill in at left back when needed, or even allow Leeds to switch shape into a wing back formation; playing three centre backs might just be the key in striking the balance between attack and defence.

Granted he's not a genuine defensive fix and it remains an area that Leeds must improve on in the future, with Stuart Dallas currently having to play out of position as a makeshift left back, Traore would no doubt alleviate the issue in the meantime and allow them to make better use of their options by trying out different systems.

Should Traore be available for transfer in January, it won't be a one horse race for Leeds to secure their man. But it's exactly that interest that's testament to his qualities, and yet another reason why the Whites must do all that they can to secure his services.

Reuniting his partnership with Bamford, alleviating problems down the left flank and making them feel like a genuine top flight side, it's a transfer they must pursue.