Huddersfield Town Face League One Competition In League Of Ireland Striker Chase

Huddersfield Town are in a showdown with Burton Albion over forward Gbemi Arubi as both look to strengthen their squads this summer.

The 22-year-old, who plays for Dundalk in the League of Ireland, has been a breakout star this season with six goals and three assists to his name, helping the Lilywhites keep in touch with the title race.

Terriers Alerted To Striker

However, Arubi may not be able to see out the season in County Louth, with news from Neil O’Riordan stating that interest from England has emerged in the form of Huddersfield Town and Burton Albion.

The Brewers are in dire need of a new number nine this summer following the six-figure sale of Jake Beesley to Bradford City, meaning that a place in Gary Bowyer’s first team is up for grabs.

Town, meanwhile, are under new management with the permanent appointment of Jon Stead and Martin Drury to the head coach role, and with Kevin Nagle keen to bring the Terriers back into promotion contention.

They have already seen plenty of movement in their forward department with Alfie May sold to Yorkshire rivals Doncaster Rovers in the wake of Ashley Fletcher’s arrival on a free transfer from Blackpool.

Further additions are already expected in Kirklees, with Town reportedly on the verge of loaning in Sunderland’s Matty Young after his two stellar seasons at Salford City in League Two.

According to O’Riordan, Dundalk are unwilling to sell Arubi midway through the League of Ireland season as they continue to battle for a place in Europe next season, and manager Ciarán Kilduff has stated no bids have been tabled as of yet.

Which Club Is A Better Option?

Interest in Gbemi Arubi from League One may force Dundalk into a tough decision, especially with their talisman set to leave the club in November when his deal expires.

However, his options are two vastly different choices considering the current circumstances at both Huddersfield Town and Burton Albion.

With the Terriers, he will face plenty of competition to try and secure regular game time with Ashley Fletcher already arriving this summer to challenge Bojan Radulovic for minutes.

Drury and Stead are in need of new forwards though following the end of Bobby Wales and Ryan Hardie’s loan spells with the club, and adding one of the League of Ireland’s best performers would not hurt one bit.

The more straightforward choice for Arubi should be Burton Albion with a regular place in the first team more assured at the Pirelli Stadium.

At 6’1″, he would be a more than ample replacement for Jake Beesley, who was able to utilise his aerial ability to great effect while with the Brewers.

All six of his goals this season so far for Dundalk have come within the penalty box, and should Albion’s wide players, such as Kyran Lofthouse, be able to put the ball in the corridor of uncertainty, then Arubi could be a hit in Staffordshire.