James Milner has already told Leeds United exactly why they should sign ‘phenomenal’ target 

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Leeds United are closing in on a return to the Premier League. The Whites are five points ahead of third-place Sheffield United with four matches remaining.

After losing in the play-off final against Southampton in 2024, Leeds fans will be thankful that Sheffield United have slipped up in the race for automatic promotion, losing their last three.

The Whites are in a strong position to finish in the top two, with Daniel Farke close to completing his redemption mission.

Promotion to the Premier League is worth a lucrative amount to the respective clubs, and Leeds will be looking to splash the cash once their destiny is confirmed.

Farke will want to bolster his squad with quality to bridge the gap between the second tier and top-flight, with a new striker being eyed.

• READ MORE: 21G/A might not be enough for this Leeds United ace to return to the fold for Daniel Farke, here’s why

James Milner has praised Leeds United target Evan Ferguson

According to TEAMtalk, Leeds have entered the race to sign Brighton striker Evan Ferguson who is currently on loan at West Ham.

The Seagulls would prefer to sell the 20-year-old permanently and as per the report, have slapped a £45 million price tag on him.

That would be an expensive deal for a newly promoted club to complete, although Leeds icon James Milner has already explained what he would bring to Elland Road in an assessment of his attributes, including his ‘phenomenal’ finishing.

Speaking in January 2024, via TNT Sports, Milner said of his Brighton teammate: “I think [he’s] a great lad, first and foremost. Wants to learn, wants to get about, which is so important.

“He’s in a great place in terms of the club, the manager he’s working with. Senior players he works with, looking at someone like Welbz [Danny Welbeck] – how he goes about his business and how he plays. He’s in a great spot.

“His finishing is phenomenal you know, just so good. If a chance is falling, you want it to go to him.”

Ferguson’s has career has taken a nosedive since Milner made those comments, scoring once in 19 league appearances this term, including zero goals in six loan matches at the Hammers.

But, if the Republic of Ireland international can get back to his best, one Sky Sports pundit thinks he would be an excellent signing for Leeds.

Don Goodman thinks Ferguson is ‘perfect’ for Leeds

When Ferguson broke onto the scene at Brighton as an 18-year-old in 2022, his outrageous finishing ability and movement saw him get likened to Harry Kane.

The powerful striker scored three goals in his first five Premier League appearances in 2022/23, and then in the following campaign, became one of the youngest players to score a hat-trick in the competition in a 3-1 win over Newcastle.

• READ MORE: How many points Leeds United and Burnley need to gain promotion if Sheffield United win, lose, or draw vs Cardiff

Ferguson’s form alerted the biggest clubs in England, though Brighton stood firm in their stance that he wasn’t for sale by valuing him at £100 million.

Unfortunately, his value has now halved in the space of two years but speaking in December 2024, Don Goodman said he would be the ‘perfect’ signing for Leeds.

“Just 18 months ago, he was being lauded as a £100 million player. I can’t see him playing in the Championship no matter how big a club is,” Goodman said.

“I do think Evan Ferguson would be the perfect addition to Leeds United or Sunderland. But do I think he’ll end up in the Championship? No, I don’t.”

There was no chance of a Championship club snapping him up as West Ham captured him in January but a return to the Premier League for Leeds could see them splash big money on the striker.