🔵 Leeds United’s 2025 Summer Transfer Window: A Crucial Juncture
Leeds United are currently facing what could be described as a make-or-break summer.
Fresh off promotion back to the Premier League, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Daniel Farke has guided the club back to the top flight after last season’s promotion from the Championship, but survival in the Premier League — let alone establishing themselves as a solid mid-table side — will require far more quality than currently exists in the squad.
At present, there is a growing sense of unease surrounding the club’s transfer business. While a few deals have been completed, the overall balance of ins and outs, combined with some high-profile rejections and rival successes, paints a picture of a team struggling to impose itself in the summer market.
🚫 Missed Opportunities: A Window Full of Frustration
The recent rejection from Lecce striker Nikola Krstovic underscores the difficulty Leeds are having in convincing players to join their project — even with the financial muscle of the Premier League behind them.
Krstovic’s Decision:
Leeds were reportedly preparing a £30 million bid for the 24-year-old Montenegrin, who impressed in Serie A last season. However, Krstovic declined the move, preferring to stay in Italy — specifically with a club higher up the Serie A table. This rejection came at a time when Leeds desperately needed to accelerate their striker search.
More worrying still is the fact that Sunderland — a club who finished behind Leeds in the Championship last season — have now managed to snap up four of Leeds United’s transfer targets:
Habib Diarra – dynamic midfielder
Djordje Petrovic – talented goalkeeper
Reinildo Mandava – versatile left-back
Noah Sadiki – emerging Belgian talent
The optics are poor: Leeds have watched on as a direct competitor strengthens in key areas, while their own recruitment seems to stall. Daniel Farke is now reportedly “back at square one,” a phrase no manager wants to hear with just weeks to go before the start of a Premier League season.
✅ Completed Signings: Some Progress, But Not Enough
Leeds haven’t been completely inactive. There are three confirmed signings so far:
- Sebastiaan Bornauw – Central defender from Wolfsburg. Tall, commanding, good in the air.
- Lukas Nmecha – Forward from Wolfsburg as well, brings Bundesliga experience but not a proven top-level goal scorer.
- A third signing (undisclosed) – Depending on confirmation from club sources.
While these signings are positive in isolation, there’s a clear imbalance in the squad. Farke needs more firepower, creativity, and depth — particularly in the striker position. Leeds cannot afford to start the season with just Nmecha and existing Championship-level forwards leading the line.
⚽ The Striker Crisis: Leeds’ Most Pressing Concern
Why a Striker Is Essential
Leeds scored plenty in the Championship last season but lacked the clinical edge needed to consistently put games to bed. In the Premier League, they’ll face far tighter defenses and far fewer chances per game — which means they need a striker who can convert half-chances into goals.
The current squad lacks that reliable focal point — someone who combines physical presence with movement, intelligence, and the experience to handle Premier League pressure.
That’s why Daniel Farke and the Leeds recruitment team have narrowed their focus to three potential striker targets:
🔍 Striker Shortlist: Detailed Profiles & Evaluation
- 🇮🇪 Evan Ferguson (Brighton)
Age: 20
Nationality: Republic of Ireland
Market Value: Reportedly available for £28 million
Previous Valuation: Was once linked to a £100 million move to Barcelona or Bayern
Last Season: Poor loan spell at West Ham (1 goal in 13 appearances)
Style: Physical, composed, back-to-goal striker with good finishing instincts
📈 Upside:
Age & Potential: Still only 20. In the right environment, he could develop into a world-class striker.
Premier League Experience: Has played against top opposition and scored big goals for Brighton.
Style Fits Farke’s System: Comfortable as a lone striker in a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3. Strong hold-up play.
⚠️ Risks:
Form & Confidence: His time at West Ham dented his self-belief.
Injuries: Has missed several spells over the past two seasons.
Price: £28 million is still a hefty sum for a player who hasn’t scored regularly in over a year.
🔍 Fit for Leeds:
Ferguson could become a cornerstone of the club for the next five years — or turn out to be an expensive misfire. He represents both Leeds’ ambition and their risk tolerance in one package.
- 🏴☠️ Callum Wilson (Newcastle United)
Age: 32
Nationality: England
Market Status: Speculation of a release or availability for under £10m
Style: Classic poacher, smart mover, ruthless finisher
Injuries: Multiple hamstring and knee issues over the years
📈 Upside:
Goalscoring Pedigree: Proven scorer at Bournemouth and Newcastle. Over 40 Premier League goals since 2020.
Experienced: Knows how to play against elite defenses.
Mentor Figure: Could help younger players like Nmecha and Joseph develop.
⚠️ Risks:
Fitness: Hasn’t completed a full season without injury since 2019.
Ageing: May only have one or two more high-impact seasons left.
No Resale Value: A short-term solution.
🔍 Fit for Leeds:
Wilson would provide immediate firepower but comes with caveats. He’s best used in a managed role — not as a 38-game starter, but as someone who plays 60 minutes or comes off the bench when needed. Ideal if Leeds also bring in a younger long-term option.
- 🦊 Jamie Vardy (Free Agent)
Age: 37
Last Club: Leicester City
Style: Counter-attacking striker, thrives on through balls and movement
Current Status: Free agent, considering final career move
📈 Upside:
Mentality: One of the most fearless, competitive players of the last decade.
Experience: Premier League winner, Golden Boot holder, England international.
Cost: Free transfer, only wages to negotiate.
⚠️ Risks:
Age: At 37, can he still lead the line for 90 minutes at Premier League pace?
Injuries: Has had recurring muscle issues.
Dressing Room Balance: Might expect to start regularly, but isn’t suited for a full 38-match campaign.
🔍 Fit for Leeds:
Vardy would be a short-term culture-setter — great for the dressing room, high-impact in short bursts. But he cannot be the primary striker if Leeds want to stay up. Could work as a plan B, or to complement a younger starter.
🔮 Strategic Options: What Should Leeds Do Next?
🟡 Option A: Go All-In on Evan Ferguson
Best-case scenario: He rediscovers his confidence and becomes the long-term solution.
Worst-case scenario: He continues to struggle with injuries and form, and the £28m fee becomes a burden.
🔵 Option B: Buy Wilson, Sign Vardy as Backup
More budget-friendly. You get one experienced starter (Wilson) and one explosive backup (Vardy) without spending £30m+.
Risk: Both are aging and injury-prone — could leave Leeds short again by December.
🟢 Option C: Sign One Veteran & One Up-and-Comer from Abroad
Look to leagues like Ligue 1, Eredivisie, or Portuguese Liga for a striker with high ceiling at a lower cost.
Example profile: Gift Orban (Lyon) or Mohamed Bayo (Lille) — younger, physical, and more affordable than Ferguson.
📣 Final Thoughts: Leeds Must Be Bold — But Smart
Leeds United are at a critical crossroads. A poor striker signing could leave them stuck in a relegation battle; the right one could stabilize the club for years.
Ferguson: Ambitious, expensive, and uncertain
Wilson: Reliable but aging
Vardy: Free but fading
Each comes with benefits and drawbacks, but the club must act decisively — not only to strengthen their team but to reassure fans, players, and prospective targets that Leeds are building something credible.