Leeds United are in hot pursuit of Nigerian striker Jerry Mbakogu after jetting out to Italy to watch him in action, according to Tutto Mercato Web.

The Italian transfer site claim scouts from the Yorkshire giants were present to watch the 25-year-old star for Serie B club Carpi in their 2-1 win against Spezia Calcio at the Stadio Sandro Cabassi.

Tutto Mercato Web report that Carpi do not want to lose Mbakogu in the last days of the January window but are open to a deal in the summer window.

The talent spotters from Leeds watched as the ex-Padova forward got on the score sheet in the 69th minute to take his haul for the campaign to seven goals in 19 appearances.

The Nigerian has scored 38 goals in 136 Carpi matches as well as supplied 20 assists.

OPINION

Mbakogu may not be a name that is familiar to Leeds fans craving a centre-forward proven in the Championship and able to hit the ground running in the team’s pursuit of a play-off spot in the second half of this season. But he has a decent record in the Italian second tier, is at an age when he is approaching his football peak and has the benefit of an Italian passport after his family moved to the country at an early age, which means there would be no work permit issues. Mbakogu would be a more mature signing than Caleb Ekuban, who joined from Italy in the summer window.