According to Carlton Palmer, Leeds United missed out on signing Kieffer Moore to Ipswich Town due to the forward’s pay demands.
Speaking to Football League World on Tuesday (5 March), the analyst stated that the Tractor Boys agreed to pay the majority of the Welsh international’s £40,000-£45,000 weekly contract, which created a “problem” for the Whites.
He believes the 31-year-old would have been an ideal addition to Daniel Farke’s side since he has been a “fantastic signing” for their promotion rivals, helping them return to winning ways in recent weeks after a dip in form throughout January.
“Ipswich are having a good run of form,” observed Palmer. “After a slight fall, they’ve regained second position by winning their previous five games. This coincided with the loan signing of Kieffer Moore, who has had a fantastic start to his loan stay, scoring five goals in seven Championship matches.
“This has been a terrific signing. Sunderland and Leeds were interested in him, but I believe Ipswich agreed to pay the majority of his wage, which was a problem [for Sunderland and Leeds], since he was apparently earning £40,000-£45,000 per week, which was a lot of money for the other clubs.
“As they were interested in him, he’d have been an excellent addition, as he has demonstrated with Ipswich, who are now only three points behind Leicester. Leicester have lost three games in a row. I thought they were out of sight, but suddenly Ipswich is breathing down their necks with the prospect of back-to-back promotions.”
Leeds United has tremendous forward options.
Moore is unquestionably a great Championship striker with a lot to offer, but Leeds have plenty of attacking options.
With Patrick Bamford regaining form since the turn of the year, Georginio Rutter continuing to put up strong performances, and Joel Piroe providing a goal threat, the Welshman would not have been guaranteed minutes.
The Whites would never spend that much money for someone who was unlikely to start right away.
But that is exactly what the forward has accomplished at Ipswich, scoring five goals in seven games since moving to Portman Road, where he had played six years ago.
While he may have a significant influence on who advances this season considering how he has recently helped turn around the Tractor Boys’ fortunes, he should not be remembered as one who slipped between the cracks at Elland Road.
