Leeds United have done well to bring in eight new signings before the start of the season, but there is a demand for more fresh faces. The club are set to face a crucial couple of weeks as they look to bring in further reinforcements for their attack before the end of the transfer window.
The Whites focused on deepening their midfield and defensive resources in the early part of the transfer window. They have also secured a top goalkeeper in Lucas Perri, who will be in goal against Everton on Monday night as Illan Meslier closes in on his Elland Road exit in the ongoing window.
However, Leeds’ efforts to strengthen their forward line have been more challenging. Igor Paixao snubbed a move to Elland Road last month, and Bilal El Khannouss is favouring a transfer to Crystal Palace over the Whites ahead of the September 1st transfer deadline.
The Yorkshire giants did announce the arrival of Dominic Calvert-Lewin on a free transfer, and it has emerged that it was not as straightforward a deal as the striker had other lucrative options on his table.
Can you name the team Leeds United signed these players from in the 2000s?
Dominic Calvert-Lewin snubbed a massive offer in favour of the Leeds United move
Leeds weren’t Calvert-Lewin’s first choice, and even the former Everton forward was not the preferred target for the Whites in the ongoing window.
However, after missing out on a few targets, Leeds moved and sealed an agreement to sign the 28-year-old on a free transfer this summer.
The Whites fans are divided over the transfer as while he has Premier League experience, Calvert-Lewin has struggled with injuries over the last years.
However, according to journalist Alan Nixon, the forward turned down a far more lucrative offer in favour of joining Leeds this summer.
It has been claimed that former Everton striker had an offer worth £18m over three years from Turkish giants Fenerbahce, where Jose Mourinho wanted him.
The striker would have earned £115,000 a week at Fenerbahce, but he chose to move to Leeds and continue playing in the Premier League this season.
Calvert-Lewin has something to prove at Leeds
While the Leeds fans remain divided on Calvert-Lewin’s arrival, it should please them that he turned down more lucrative offers to move to Elland Road.
He scored 17 goals in the last four Premier League seasons and has something to prove at Leeds, following a few years of frustration.
Farke believes Leeds have secured a top striker who has something to prove at Elland Road.
”Dominic is a proven Premier League player”, the Leeds manager said.
“It’s important for all new signings, we want to sign players who have delivered on a top level, but they are also at a good age, on their way up the hill, not the way down. These boxes are all ticked by Dominic.
“He’s at a really good age, proven at the Premier League level with more than 200 games and 60 goals. In 11 appearances for the England team, he scored four goals. We don’t have to speak about his qualities.
“He has all the skills you’d like your striker to have.”
