Leeds United are still looking to strengthen their attack this summer as they aim to reduce the reliance on Dominic Calvert-Lewin ahead of the new Premier League campaign.
Calvert-Lewin enjoyed an impressive 2025/26 season, scoring 14 league goals to play a key role in Leeds securing their top-flight status.
But the lack of support around him was evident. The Whites often struggled for goals whenever Calvert-Lewin hit a dry spell, exposing their need for greater depth up front.
Leeds are therefore targeting another striker who can both challenge Calvert-Lewin for the starting role and play alongside him when needed. Just as importantly, they want someone capable of leading the line if the former Everton forward is unavailable at any stage of the season.
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Whites striker target on the verge of a move
Leeds are closing in on a club-record deal to sign Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford, who has a broad agreement in place with the Whites.
The Yorkshire giants are also confident of securing a deal to sign Julian Brandt on a free transfer. The German favours a move to Elland Road over Ajax.
Leeds are in the market for a striker, but it seems they won’t be making a move for a forward they were considering signing earlier in the summer.
Lois Openda, who has been heavily linked with a move to Leeds, will be on the move soon, and Juventus are ensuring that they do not jeopardise his imminent departure.
The striker was in Juventus’ squad for their win over Standard Liege on Saturday night. However, he remained an unused substitute.
Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that the forward is on the verge of a loan move to Lyon in the ongoing summer transfer window.
Lyon have agreed to pay a loan fee of just over ÂŁ2.5m, and will cover part of his wages during the loan stint.
The French giants won’t have an option to make the move permanent in the loan agreement with Juventus.
🚨🔴🔵 Loïs Openda won’t feature in today’s friendly match for Juventus as he will become new Olympique Lyon player next week.
Full details:
€3m loan fee.
Part of the salary covered by OL.
No buy option clause.Medical in the next 48h. 🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/XP0gLeiRTz
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 25, 2026
Lois Openda would have been a huge gamble for Leeds
Leeds’ interest in Openda was baffling, as while the striker looked brilliant at RB Leipzig, he struggled in Italy with Juventus last season.
The Serie A giants were even open to selling him after just one season, and he looked completely off the pace in Serie A.
Openda’s wages would have been high for Leeds, and it made no sense for the Whites to sign a striker who struggled in Serie A, a league that is less intense than the Premier League.
Leeds can find better options in the market, and they should consider bringing in someone younger and hungrier ahead of the end of the transfer window.
