Leeds United are reportedly at the head of the queue to sign Southampton striker Che Adams on loan.

The 23-year-old joined the Saints over the summer off the back of scoring 22 Championship goals for Birmingham City during an impressive 2018-19 campaign.

Adams has struggled to make his mark in the Premier League, though, failing to register in 15 top-flight outings since arriving at St Mary's.

Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl recently insisted that the striker, who started Saturday's FA Cup third-round clash with Huddersfield Town, would not be leaving the club during the January window.

However, according to Football Insider, Leeds have privately been given encouragement that they will be able to sign the centre-forward before the end of the month.

Indeed, the report claims that the Whites are now ahead of Nottingham Forest in the race for Adams, who has scored 34 times in 116 appearances at Championship level.

Marcelo Bielsa's side are in the market for a new attacker having seen England Under-21 international Eddie Nketiah return to parent club Arsenal.