Leeds United target Middlesbrough's top scorer Will Lankshear

Leeds United have joined the race to sign Middlesbrough striker Will Lankshear in the January transfer window. The 21-year-old has emerged as a prime target for manager Daniel Farke, who is determined to add a new centre-forward to his squad.

Will Lankshear has scored 15 goals in 16 appearances this season, making him the Championship's most prolific striker. He moved from Tottenham to Middlesbrough last summer for an initial £10m, but his price tag has reportedly tripled since then. Middlesbrough are extremely reluctant to sell their star asset, especially as they push for promotion to the Premier League.

Former Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown, a transfer expert, highlighted the widespread interest in the player. "Will Lankshear is obviously going to have a lot of Premier League clubs looking at him," Brown said. "He's proving already he's a top-class striker, it's not like he's just come out of nowhere, he's somebody these clubs have been aware of even when he was at Tottenham."

A January move is currently seen as unlikely, with Middlesbrough expected to demand a fee in the region of £30m to even consider offers. Newcastle United are also among the clubs monitoring the situation. Leeds, who sit ninth in the Premier League with 14 points from 10 games, are looking to bolster an attack that has scored 10 league goals this term. Top scorer Dominic Calvert-Lewin has three goals, while Mateo Joseph is currently injured and Lukas Nmecha has struggled for form.

The pursuit comes as Leeds prepare for a tough away fixture against fifth-placed Chelsea on 21 November. Their most recent result was a 1-0 home win over Tottenham, secured by a late Noah Okafor goal. Farke's side will hope to add more firepower to improve on their current league position, which sees them 13 points behind leaders Arsenal.

Lankshear is described as a classic penalty-box striker who focuses on scoring goals. His former striker coach, Scott Chickleday, who worked with him for two years, has called him a special talent with ambitions to be the number one striker in England and the world. While a transfer this winter faces significant hurdles, Leeds have identified the young forward as a potential long-term solution up front. The January window opens in just over six weeks.

More detail at Football Insider