Leeds United's recent history suggests their exploits in the January transfer window often do not end very well. The acquisition of revered former French youth international Jean-Kevin Augustin last year was somewhat ill-fated due to the striker's inability to stay fit, and also the postponement of the Championship season due to coronavirus.
A number of factors meant the Frenchman's move from RB Leipzig was ultimately a failure but that has not deterred Leeds United from targeting another Bundesliga striker this time around.
Football Insider report there is 'concrete' interest in 1. FSV Mainz 05's Jean-Philippe Mateta who has netted seven times in 14 outings in Germany's top flight this season.
The 6ft 3in forward is a penalty box presence, but also fairly adept with both feet. He has led Mainz's line over the past three seasons, scoring vital goals to keep the club in the Bundesliga despite being tipped for relegation most seasons.
Typically, he has been used as a lone striker by multiple managers and in various systems - he remains the constant at the tip of Mainz's attack.
While not the most aerially dominant, he is capable of making the ball stick, which is something that Patrick Bamford is less adept at doing.
Marcelo Bielsa has form when it comes to employing a hard-working, instinctive striker - only last month Bamford surpassed Fernando Llorente as the player with most goals while playing for a Bielsa team. Llorente was a mainstay in the Argentine's Athletic Club side between 2011 and 2013, offering the Bilbao-based club a gutsy focal point in attack.
Deploying Mateta could be especially useful to Leeds who at times this season have struggled when pressed high and have been forced to go long. Bamford's inability to hold off challenges with his frame and bring others into play means Leeds have forfeited possession too frequently.
That is not to suggest Bamford has done a bad job, far from it, rather Mateta would bring a slightly different set of skills as an alternative.
Given his height, the 23-year-old would add a much-needed physical presence to a Leeds United side desperately lacking an imposing figure.
According to WhoScored.com, over the past three seasons with Mainz, Mateta has attempted 28 shots originating from set-plays, including a quarter of his attempts on goal this season.
Leeds United fans could be excused for being rather reserved towards the prospect of signing a young, barrel-chested Bundesliga forward after the Augustin nightmare and recent additions by other Premier League clubs, though.
Newcastle United's Joelinton and West Ham's Sebastien Haller were excellent in the Bundesliga but have struggled to adapt in the Premier League. Admittedly, in Joelinton's case, going from a secondary forward under Julian Nagelsmann to a target man with Steve Bruce was hardly going to produce brilliant results, but there must be serious considerations taken into account regarding Mateta's suitability.
The 23-year-old did suffer a torn meniscus around 18 months ago, which somewhat derailed his 2019/20 campaign, however his goalscoring has returned this year for a poor Mainz side, managed by former Huddersfield Town boss Jan Siewert, which is encouraging.
On the whole, adding a forward would not be a terrible idea, particularly one as imposing as Mateta who can certainly impact games when Leeds perhaps need to switch up their approach. In the event of a Bamford injury, Leeds are thin on the ground in attack so signing Mateta before that happens would make greater financial sense.
As always a sticking point would be the fee, and given Leeds' summer spending, Bielsa's reticence to sign players in January and Mateta's Mainz contract running until 2023, it is unlikely to be a cheap one to conclude.
One thing which could stand in Leeds' favour is that Mainz do appear to be headed for relegation and the 2. Bundesliga. This would mean Mateta would almost certainly move on at the end of the season, for a lesser fee than what he could be available for now.
Losing him would all but condemn them to the drop but the funds they receive could help them rebuild and bounce back at the first attempt next year, akin to how Norwich City operate in England.
