Leeds United have registered their interest in signing Southampton striker Che Adams in January after the green light from Marcelo Bielsa, Football Insider can reveal.

The Yorkshire giants are in the market for a new forward in case Arsenal trigger the mid-season recall option in Eddie Nketiah’s loan deal.

A Leeds source has told Football Insider the club are uncertain whether Nketiah is staying or going, and regard Adams as a dynamic striker capable of replacing him.

Nottingham Forest are currently in pole position to take Adams on loan if Southampton give the go-ahead for their £15million summer signing to depart next month.

This comes after Football Insider revealed that Forest tabled a loan offer for Adams last Thursday as they look to steal an early march on rivals.

However, Leeds’ interest is genuine and he is now regarded by the club as a more realistic option than Liverpool rising star Rhian Brewster.

United are keen on the England Under-21 international, who is available on loan, but they currently lag behind Swansea City and Huddersfield in the race to land him.

Marcelo Bielsa has given the green light for Leeds to pursue Adams after he banged in 22 league goals for Birmingham City last season.

That earned him a move to the Premier League and a five-year contract worth around £50,000-a-week.

But Adams has struggled to make an impression for the Saints.

He has yet to score for the Premier League club from 15 appearances in all competitions and has not started a league match since September as he plays second fiddle to in-form front pair Danny Ings and Shane Long.

In other Leeds United news, one of the club’s biggest names may have played his last game after heading for transfer talks with Premier League manager.