Leeds United manager Jesse Marsch has confirmed the club are looking to sign a striker before the transfer window closes.
Speaking at a pre-match press conference ahead of Thursday's friendly with Brisbane Roar in Gold Coast, with TribalFootball in attendance, Marsch also stated that Raphinha was nearing a move to Barcelona.
Marsch is lacking significant forward competition for Patrick Bamford, who made just nine Premier League appearances last season due to injury.
The American said on Wednesday that Bamford's return was like a new signing, however he added that they need reinforcements in attack.
Asked if they will sign a striker this summer, Marsch told reporters: "It's a continued pursuit.
"We're hopeful on several targets, we have our priorities. The conversations have been really good. We're going to find one more striker...Then we feel we will have a sound group."
Respected transfer expert Fabrizio Romano confirmed on Tuesday that Raphinha is on the verge of joining Barcelona after a deal worth up to €67m was agreed with Leeds.
Marsch chose to address the issue in Gold Coast on Wednesday, and lauded Raphinha for his commitment to the club's relegation battle last season.
"There's been distinct movement with Barcelona and we think that things will move along in the next day or two but it's certainly not finished yet," Marsch said, via LeedsLive. "As much as it's really hard to lose Raphinha, I'll say this, if you think about a young man that was pretty much guaranteed to go on a reduced transfer fee to Barcelona if we were relegated and then you watch the performances he had to making sure the club was going to stay up, it would be hard for any 25-year-old to perform the way that he did.
"We are so thankful and I had that conversation with him. A big part for us considering to move him was the fact that he was committed, it made it easy for us to be very connected to what his goals in his life and career are.
"I'm hopeful for his sake, as much as it is hard to see him leave, I'm hopeful for him to get this deal done because I know it's his dream to play for Barcelona. To be honest with Kalvin (Phillips) and Raphinha, it allows us to take the next steps that we need to take in the future so that hopefully the next time we have a player like that, we can make them understand that logically the best option is to stay, because we're pushing for big goals."
In other news, Marsch confirmed that left-back Junior Firpo would be sidelined for up to eight weeks.
Marsch said the club could look to the transfer market to find cover at left-back.
Click here to hear my thoughts after the press conference with Jesse Marsch in Gold Coast.
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