Leeds United are almost certain to sign a striker in the ongoing summer transfer window to improve their goalscoring options for next season.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin carried much of Leeds United’s attacking threat last season, finishing as the club’s leading Premier League scorer with 14 goals. He led the line well, but too much of the goalscoring responsibility fell on his shoulders.
The support around him was inconsistent. Lukas Nmecha chipped in with six league goals from 31 appearances, while Joel Piroe endured a difficult campaign, struggling for regular minutes and failing to score in the Premier League.
With goals in short supply beyond Calvert-Lewin, it is little surprise that Leeds are prioritising another striker this summer. Strengthening the attack is expected to remain one of the club’s main objectives before the transfer window shuts.
And they may now have to overpay to land a top target as they are facing growing competition from Everton.
Leeds may have to overpay for Ayase Ueda
Former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness has claimed that Everton are currently in pole position to sign Ayase Ueda in the ongoing window.
However, he stressed that the Toffees may not be prepared to pay the £35m fee Feyenoord want before selling the 27-year-old striker this summer.
He feels Leeds may be in a better position to get close to Feyenoord’s asking price. However, he claimed that the striker’s preference is to join Everton.
“Well, normally the Premier League does win over these sorts of things with wages and glamour appeal, and building the player’s profile in his own country”, Wyness said on Football Insider.
“As I understand it, Feyenoord are looking at a £35m valuation; Everton are short of that at the moment. He certainly seems to be a talent. Unproven once again, though, in the Premier League.
“We’ve seen several strikers who have come over from the Eredivisie, being the next great thing and haven’t quite done it in the Premier League.
“Everton are favourites right now ahead of Leeds from what I understand, but Leeds may go further to bridge that gap with Feyenoord’s valuation, and if they do, then I think that’s going to be the key as to where it goes.
“But I think the player, from what I’m hearing, would prefer Everton if possible. I’m not yet convinced that he is Premier League material, but listen, we’ll wait and see, but that’s where I think the deal stands as we speak today.”
He may be worth the gamble
Leeds United relied heavily on Dominic Calvert-Lewin for goals last season, and while he delivered with another productive campaign, the supporting cast did not contribute enough.
Aside from Lukas Nmecha and Noah Okafor, Leeds struggled to find consistent goals from elsewhere in the attack. That lack of cutting edge proved costly on several occasions, with the Whites failing to make the most of key moments during the season.
It is no surprise, then, that the club are looking to strengthen their forward line this summer. Ayase Ueda is expected to attract plenty of interest after his recent form, but his goalscoring record last season, coupled with his performance in the World Cup for Japan suggests he would be a gamble worth taking.
If Leeds want to establish themselves in the Premier League next season, going into the campaign with only Calvert-Lewin and Nmecha as recognised senior striker options simply would not be enough.
