Leeds United are reportedly not prepared to sanction the exit of striker Patrick Bamford amid links to Southampton.
The 31-year-old has endured a rollercoaster time at Elland Road since making the permanent switch from Middlesbrough during the summer of 2018.
Bamford has played on 195 occasions across all competitions for Leeds, finding the net 60 times, including in the Premier League in recent years.
The forward enjoyed his best-ever goalscoring campaign under the expert tutelage of Marcelo Bielsa in 2020-21, when the towering marksman fired in 17 top-flight goals.
However, Bamford's 2023-24 season was seriously hampered by a number of injury problems, limiting him to a modest total of 33 appearances in the Championship.
Southampton suffer blow in Bamford pursuit?
According to the Yorkshire Evening Post, Southampton have been dealt a major blow in the possible pursuit of Leeds striker Bamford in the January transfer window.
The report claims that the Whites are highly unlikely to sanction a switch for the 31-year-old, who is struggling to earn regular first-team minutes this season.
With Bamford's current deal at Elland Road expiring during the summer of 2026, Southampton will be unable to secure the attacker on a free transfer next year.
Daniel Farke is currently preferring the likes of Joel Piroe at the focal point of attack, severely limiting the former Burnley striker's minutes.
Bamford will be looking for some match action on Saturday afternoon, when promotion-chasing Leeds host Wayne Rooney's Plymouth Argyle at Elland Road.
Do Southampton need Bamford?
Nine matches into the new 2024-25 campaign, Southampton are still searching for their maiden success in the league after promotion via the playoffs in May.
As a result, the Saints are currently occupying bottom spot in the Premier League table, five points from Crystal Palace in the relative safety of 17th.
Finding the net on just six occasions across nine matches, Russell Martin's troops possess the joint-worst goalscoring record in the division so far.
Considering that, Bamford could be a helpful addition for Southampton, however it is unlikely that the striker would be able to capture his top-flight form of 2020-21 immediately.
