Leeds United had a nightmare end to the transfer window, but their search for forwards earlier in the summer was also frustrating for fans to watch. There are serious question marks over the calibre of attackers the Whites signed in the recent window.
The Whites ended the transfer window scrambling for options as Daniel Farke kept on pleading for a couple more attackers. Facundo Buonanotte turned down a move to Elland Road and chose to join Chelsea from Brighton on loan for the rest of the season last week.
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Leeds also had a high-profile transfer collapse on deadline day when their pursuit of Fulham winger Harry Wilson fell through after the London club changed their mind about selling the Welsh star, just minutes before the transfer window closed.
However, some would argue, Leeds wouldn’t have faced those problems at the end of the window had they been more proactive and decisive earlier in their pursuit of forwards.
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Leeds United slammed for their pursuit of Fulham striker Rodrigo Muniz
Rodrigo Muniz was Leeds’ top striker target, but Fulham never really veered away from their stance of not wanting to sell him, despite Atalanta making a big offer for him towards the end of the window.
Leeds wasted months and weeks for Fulham to open up to the idea of selling the Brazilian, and kept ignoring other, more viable targets in the market.
The Athletic’s Leeds reporter, Beren Cross, slammed the club for dragging the saga for months when it was clear that Fulham had no plans of selling Muniz.
“Certainly, from my observation, that was allowed to drag on for far too long”, Cross said on The Square Ball Podcast.
“He was clearly the main target they wanted, and no problem with making him the main target, but it lasted for months and months.
“And ultimately they pivoted to Calvert-Lewin.”
Leeds wasted weeks deciding on the forward they wanted
Towards the end of July, Leeds failed with an ambitious move for Igor Paixao, who ultimately snubbed the Whites in favour of joining Marseille.
Shortly after, Leeds secured the deal to sign goalkeeper Lucas Perri from Lyon, but it took almost three more weeks for the club to sign Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
The club wasted valuable days in the window either waiting for Muniz or deciding on whom to sign after Paixao chose Champions League football over a move to Elland Road.
The recruitment team showed a remarkable lack of agility in the market, and they ultimately signed Calvert-Lewin, who was available on a free transfer all summer.
The Whites also added Noah Okafor to their squad in August, but the jury is out on the former AC Milan winger, who has already picked up a groin injury.
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