Leeds United’s frontline still seems to be lacking some depth and quality. But a player who Crystal Palace are now ready to sell could actually be a perfect fit for Daniel Farke’s side.
Leeds United are still in quite desperate need of new signings this summer. There are multiple positions in need of some spending and up front is just one of those positions.
Already this summer, Leeds have signed Lukas Nmecha on a free transfer, but fans have mixed feelings about the released Wolfsburg striker who’s failed to impress in England before.
So another striker, and one with Premier League experience seems vitally important for the Whites this summer.
But what we’re seeing is that Daniel Farke and Leeds won’t overspend on players this summer. With a £150million transfer budget, and with so many new players to sign, Farke’s spending has so far been quite conservative.
Jaka Bijol joined Leeds United for £15million and that’s the most expensive signing so far, and potentially of the summer at this rate.
Brentford FC v Crystal Palace FC - Premier League
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Crystal Palace have just put Odsonne Edouard up for sale
Leeds may be very limited in the type of striker they can sign this summer. Farke might even want a couple more bringing in, especially if one of Mateo Joseph or Patrick Bamford leaves, or if both leave, and so someone like Odsonne Edouard could be perfect.
Signed for £15million in 2021, the Frenchman has steadily fallen out of favour at Selhurst Park, and now The Athletic report that Palace are ready to listen to offers for the 27-year-old former Celtic man, who Neil Lennon once described as a ‘mercurial’ player.
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Out of contract in 2026, Palace surely can’t expect to receive more than the £15million they paid for Edouard, if that. And whilst he’s not overly-impressed with the Eagles, a change of scenery could be all it takes to get Edouard back to scoring ways.
Three reasons why Odsonne Edouard is perfect for Leeds United
His goals record is better than it seems
For Palace, Edouard has scored 18 goals in 95 total Premier League appearances. It’s not a terrible number, not a brilliant one either. But when we zoom in and see that he’s only started 55 Premier League games for the Eagles, that 18 seems a lot more impressive.
Throughout his entire time at Palace he’s had to share the starting spot with another striker. But despite having to come off the bench so often, he’s managed to maintain a relatively consistent scoring pattern, even if he’s yet to reach double figures in a Premier League season.
For Celtic, Edouard scored 87 in 179 total games, claiming 37 assists too. The 2019/20 season was his best in front of goal for the Scottish giants with 29 goals in all competitions, including six in the Champions League.
Last season he was on loan at Leicester City where he made just four Premier League appearances without scoring, owing to injury and simply not being favoured.
PL season Appearances Starts Goals
24/25 6 1 0
23/24 30 17 7
22/23 30 20 5
21/22 28 18 6
Odsonne Edouard can still hit his prime years
Footballers, especially strikers it seems, come into their prime much older now. Names like Robert Lewandowski is still banging in goals at 36 years old, simply using his experience to make up for the dwindling physical side of his game.
Edouard is only 27 years old. For Leeds, he could be someone who in a year or so gets back to his best, and starts to come into his prime years which, going off his previous Celtic heroics, could prove very prolific.
And he could also be someone who fronts Leeds’ attack for many years to come if he’s given the chance to play regularly and get back on his feet.
Leeds United manager Daniel Farke celebrates winning promotion.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
He’s way cheaper than most of Leeds United’s striker targets
There’s been no shortage of strikers linked with Leeds United so far this summer. And whilst there have been some exciting names mentioned, nearly all of them would cost an arm and a leg.
The likes of Nikola Krstovic could cost Leeds up to £30million if they eventually go through with that signing.
But then there’s the free agents linked: Callum Wilson and Dominic Calvert-Lewin of late. But both are injury-prone and on astronomical wages, and much older than Edouard too, so the Frenchman may be preferable even at a, say, £10million fee or thereabouts.