$9M striker who Virgil van Dijk struggled against could sign for Wrexham for free
Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version or go back to LFC Live.net.
Wrexham can now pursue previously targeted Patrick Bamford, a player who Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk knows well, on a free transfer after Leeds parted ways with him.
The Red Dragons have already secured 10 new signings this summer following their promotion to the Championship, but boss Phil Parkinson remains keen on further additions before Monday's transfer window deadline.
Additional attacking options have been secured with strikers Kieffer Moore and Ryan Hardie arriving from Sheffield United and Plymouth, respectively.
Earlier in the window, Wrexham was also connected with Leeds striker Bamford, and he is now available on a free after being released by the Premier League newcomer Leeds.
The 31-year-old, who boasts one England cap, departed by mutual agreement on Thursday following seven years at the club.
This followed him being informed last month by manager Daniel Farke that he wasn't included in his plans for this campaign and would need to train with the club's U21s should he choose to remain.
I don't know where the club would be without the foundations he laid."
Bamford netted 60 times in 205 outings for the Whites following his £7 million ($9.5 million) switch from Middlesbrough in 2018.
He secured promotion from the Championship on two occasions with Leeds and made his mark during the team's initial return to the Premier League in 2020, finding the net 17 times
It was in September of that year when Bamford exposed Van Dijk during a top-flight encounter at Anfield.
The Reds prevailed 4-3 but were given a fright by Leeds, with Bamford converting a first-half leveller that saw the Netherlands captain branded "arrogant" by Anfield legend Jamie Carragher.
The center-back failed to control a long ball in the area, allowing it to drop into Bamford's path
The Leeds forward swiftly capitalized on the mistake, drilling the ball beyond a stranded Alisson to level at 2-2.
Carragher was far from impressed with Van Dijk's judgement and criticized the defender for not taking control of the situation.
Nevertheless, Bamford's form has steadily declined since that moment due to a string of fitness problems
He failed to make a single start for Leeds in the Championship last campaign and couldn't find the net across his 17 substitute outings.