Strengthening the attack is expected to be high on Leeds United’s agenda this summer as the club look to add more goals and competition in the final third ahead of the new Premier League season.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin led the line admirably last term, finishing as Leeds’ top scorer with 14 league goals and shouldering much of the burden in attack. Beyond him, though, the club struggled to find consistent contributions from their other forwards.
Lukas Nmecha managed six league goals across 31 appearances, while Joel Piroe endured a frustrating campaign, finding minutes hard to come by and ending the season without a Premier League goal.
Given those issues, it is no surprise that Leeds are in the market for another striker and are expected to make reinforcing their attacking options a key focus before the transfer window closes.
Leeds have been heavily linked with Juventus’ Lois Openda, but the Whites also have their eyes on Japan and Feyenoord forward Ayase Ueda.
Everton set to challenge Leeds for Ayase Ueda
Ayase Ueda scored 26 goals in all competitions last season for Feyenoord and has been heavily linked with a move away from the Dutch giants this summer.
Leeds are among the Premier League clubs that have shown interest in signing the forward in the ongoing transfer window.
Ueda’s form in the Netherlands has attracted Leeds’ attention, who want to bring one more consistent goalscoring forward ahead of next season.
However, according to TeamTalk, Everton are now pushing hard to try and secure a deal to sign the Japanese forward this summer.
The Toffees want to add one more striker to their ranks after Thierno Barry and Beto struggled for consistency last season.
Everton are now ramping up their interest in Ueda and are trying to finalise a deal to take him to the Hill Dickinson Arena ahead of next season.
They have extensively scouted the forward, and Feyenoord are likely to sell him if a club offer £30m for him in the upcoming transfer window.
A better option than Openda
Ueda is a striker in form, and his performances in the Netherlands have shown he can be a consistent goalscorer for a team that creates chances.
For now, he is a better option than Openda, not only because the Japanese is in better form than the Belgian, who scored twice last season, but also because he is going to be cheaper.
Juvetus are open to loaning him out, but Openda’s wage demands are still going to be a problem for any club wanting to sign him.
Ueda will cost a significant fee this summer, but his salary is going to be something that Leeds can easily afford.
Openda seems to be more of a gamble than the Feyenoord forward at this stage of the transfer window.
Totally agree. In fact I think Leeds are chasing the wrong Juventus target anyway. Jonathan David looks a much better option and Juventus have already offered him. Openda looks a huge gamble.