Leeds United are still looking to add another striker this summer, with Daniel Farke keen to ease some of the goalscoring burden on Dominic Calvert-Lewin ahead of the new Premier League season.
The former Everton forward enjoyed an excellent first campaign at Elland Road, scoring 14 league goals and playing a major role in Leeds securing their top-flight status. But whenever his goals dried up, Leeds often lacked another dependable option to step in, exposing the need for more depth up front.
That makes another centre-forward one of the club’s biggest priorities before the transfer window closes. Farke wants someone who can compete with Calvert-Lewin for a starting place while also giving him the option of playing both forwards together when required.
The new striker also needs to be capable of leading the line when Calvert-Lewin is unavailable. Bringing in that extra quality would give Farke more options in attack and reduce Leeds’ reliance on one player during a long and demanding Premier League season.
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Leeds United set to miss out on striker
Joel Piroe is on the cusp of joining West Ham, clearing the way for Leeds United to sign one more striker before the transfer window closes on September 2.
Leeds are in the market for a forward, and have an interest in Burnley’s Zian Flemming, who scored 11 Premier League goals in 21 starts last season.
However, the links with Troy Parrott have never gone away, and they are still rumoured to be holding an interest in the AZ Alkmaar forward this summer.
But according to Spanish sports daily Marca, the forward is on the verge of finalising a move to La Liga this summer.
Real Betis are in advanced negotiations with AZ and are on the verge of completing a deal worth £14.5m.
Parrott snubbed a move to West Ham and will not wait for Leeds to make their move for him later in the transfer window.
Betis will be playing European football next season and is now close to finalising the arrival of Parrott this summer.
Leeds cannot afford not to sign a striker
Dominic Calvert-Lewin avoided any major injuries last season and stepped up to score 14 goals, which helped secure Leeds’ survival in the Premier League.
However, Leeds cannot gamble on the forward remaining fit for another complete season and need more firepower in their forward line in the upcoming campaign.
Lukas Nmecha works hard, but he has never been a prolific striker, and Piroe is on the cusp of completing a move to West Ham.
Leeds cannot afford to go into a season with Calvert-Lewin and Nmecha as their only striker options and need one quality addition to ease the nerves around Elland Road.
