Why Swansea City should go for Aaron Leya Iseka in January
According to a recent report from French publication Foot Mercato (h/t Hertfordshire Live), Swansea City had been linked with a late swoop for Toulouse striker Aaron Leya Iseka before the summer deadline.
As per the report, Spanish outfit Espanyol were also credited with an interest in the Belgian U-21 international. However, Swansea had been looking to seal a permanent deal for Leya Iseka while Espanyol were only looking at a loan move for the Toulouse hitman.
Profile
Aaron Leya Iseka rose through the youth ranks of Anderlecht in Belgium but he found first-team opportunities limited at his boyhood club despite scoring 12 goals in 15 games in the UEFA Youth League. The 22-year-old made only 19 senior appearances for the Belgian giants while spending time on loan at domestic rivals Zulte Waregem, as well as Marseille in France.
The highly-rated striker bagged 9 goals in 32 appearances for Zulte Waregem, including two in the group stages of the Europa League before securing a permanent move to Toulouse in the French top-flight.
Leya Iseka struggled to establish himself as a regular starter at his new club, scoring just 8 goals in 57 appearances across all competitions as Toulouse suffered relegation to Ligue 2 at the end of last season.
Leya Iseka would add more depth to Swansea’s attack
Swansea City brought in Jamal Lowe from relegated Wigan Athletic earlier in the summer to bolster their attack before adding Swedish international centre-forward Viktor Gyokeres on loan from Brighton before the deadline.
Steve Cooper has utilised Andre Ayew and Lowe as his options in front of goal this season so far. While both players have fared quite well, it’s worth noting that neither is an out-and-out striker by trade.
Of course, Gyokeres has been roped in to fill the void left by last season’s loanee Rhian Brewster’s departure but it goes without saying that Swansea are still very light when it comes to their options in front of goal.
Despite the emergence of Welsh U-21 starlet Liam Cullen this season, the Swans ideally need at least another specialist centre-forward in their ranks to put together a well-structured squad capable of challenging for promotion.
To that end, Swansea City should continue their pursuit of Aaron Leya Iseka when the transfer window reopens in January. The 22-year-old didn’t really make a massive impact in Ligue 1 for a struggling Toulouse side over the past couple of seasons. But he did chip in with some sparkling displays to remind the fans of his vast potential.
The Belgian U-21 international boasts of an excellent record across youth levels while he also excelled during his loan spell at Zulte Wargem in the Belgian top-flight. Leya Iseka might not be the finished article just yet but his potential arrival at the Liberty Stadium would definitely hand a massive boost to Swansea’s firepower up top.
Read More
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Verdict
Suffice to say, Swansea need more striking options to cope with the hectic schedule of a 46-game season in the Championship and a promising youngster like Aaron Leya Iseka looks more than capable of ensuring healthy competition for places in the ranks.
Steve Cooper has a big reputation for bringing the best out of burgeoning young talents and the Swans could have an absolute gem on their hands if he manages to work his magic on the Belgian starlet.
