Daniel Farke alongside a circle inset of Paraag Marathe.
Credit: Imago
Samuel Fabre
Tue 16 September 2025 21:10, UK
Leeds United’s last-minute loss to Fulham has raised more questions regarding the quality up front.
Leeds’ 1-0 defeat to Fulham means they have gone three games without scoring a goal in the Premier League.
They are also yet to score a goal from open play this season, with Lukas Nmecha’s goal against Everton being from the penalty spot.
Paraag Marathe and Daniel Farke both felt that the signings of Nmecha and Dominic Calvert-Lewin were enough in terms of firepower, yet so far they are in desperate need of new attacking players.
Daniel Farke with his arms outstretched on the touchline.
Credit: Imago
Leeds could renew interest in Mario Stroeykens
Leeds were close to finalising a deal for Stroeykens in the summer, but ultimately he decided to stay at Belgian side Anderlecht.
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Stroeykens has impressed for his team in the past few seasons, and has earned call-ups to the Belgium U19 and U21 squads.
Season Appearances Goals Assists
2021/22 8 0 0
2022/23 41 5 1
2023/24 40 6 6
2024/25 39 5 6
2025/26 10 0 0
Stroeykens’ stats for Anderlecht (via FotMob)
Now, speaking to Voetbalkrant, Anderlecht’s CEO Tim Borguet said Stroeykens might not extend his contract at the club past 2026.
He said: “A transfer is often the result of the right moment and the right club. Mario has been struggling with injuries. We’ll have a meeting with him soon.
“It’s a matter of seeing how they view their future and whether we can align that with our vision.
“Extending their contracts? That’s one of the possibilities.”
This could leave Leeds with the option to bring him to the club in January for a cut-price deal, or they could begin end-of-contract talks to sign him on a free transfer, with the move going through at the end of June.
Stroeykens is regarded as one of Belgium’s brightest talents, making his Anderlecht debut aged 16 under now-Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany.
It would be a significant coup for Leeds if Marathe can pull off the move, as Calvert-Lewin has not lived up to expectations so far.
Leeds United, Mario Stroeykens
Credit: Imago
Dominic Calvert-Lewin must do better for Leeds
Calvert-Lewin was heavily criticised during Leeds’ Carabao Cup exit to Sheffield Wednesday, with Clinton Morrison saying the striker should have done better on the night.
Against Fulham, he missed a brilliant chance as he directed a header straight at Bernd Leno, with Ally McCoist demanding that he be more clinical.
His injury record is pretty bad over his years at Everton, and Leeds need him to make the most of his availability by scoring important goals for the club.
With the 28-year-old struggling, Leeds should take a gamble on Stroeykens in January, especially when he could be available for so cheap.
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