Leeds United spent more than £100m on 10 new players in the summer transfer window. However, the supporters were left underwhelmed by their business and were particularly unhappy with their recruitment in the forward line.
The Whites had plans to spend big on a striker, but they missed out on a couple of top targets. They eventually signed former Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin on a free transfer in the summer.
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Leeds were linked with several strikers over the summer transfer window, but they signed two forwards on free transfers and didn’t have the budget towards the end of the window to sign one more number 9.
The Whites also missed out on certain targets to rivals in the Premier League. However, on hindsight, the club must be happy that they were beaten to the signing of a striker by one of their relegation rivals.
Leeds United avoided a major transfer disaster in the summer
Arnaud Kalimuendo was in demand in the summer after a scintillating last season, when he scored 17 goals in 33 Ligue 1 appearances for Rennes.
Leeds had their eyes on him like several other clubs. However, Nottingham Forest beat their rivals to his signature for a deal worth £26m in the last transfer window.
However, the Frenchman has looked far away from the player who was setting French football on fire last season with his goalscoring feats.
Kalimuendo has yet to start a game for Forest in the Premier League, and has played just 66 minutes of league football across six substitute appearances.
The striker has yet to open his account for Forest. Nuno Espirito Santo, who signed the forward in the summer, was sacked early in the season, and his replacement, Ange Postecoglou, barely survived weeks at the City Ground.
Kalimuendo is now working under a third manager in Sean Dyche at Forest, and given his preference for physical strikers, the Frenchman is unlikely to find favour with him.
Leeds still need a striker
The Whites may be happy that Kalimuendo rejected them in favour of Forest in the summer and is now working in a tumultuous atmosphere at the City Ground.
However, Leeds have their own striker woes. Calvert-Lewin has scored just once, and while he has led the line well, the 28-year-old has been guilty of costing points with his erratic finishing.
They may not have the funds to pursue a striker in the January window, but it is clear that Leeds need a more reliable goalscorer in the final third of the pitch.
Ivan Toney wants to return to England, and there is no reason why Leeds should not try to sign him on loan in the January transfer window.
Leeds have also been linked with Chris Wood, but Dyche is unlikely to sell a striker who suits the kind of football Forest will play under him this season.
Signing a striker may be financially viable in January, but Leeds need to find a way to get one, as Calvert-Lewin and Nemcha are not inspiring much confidence at the moment.
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