Leeds United have agreed a deal with free agent striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, formerly of Everton, in a bid to keep Daniel Farke's side in the Premier League next season. While fans in LeedsLive's comments section can respect his talent, some have wondered how much he will contribute during the upcoming campaign.
Calvert-Lewin will come with nine years of top-flight experience, scoring 57 goals for Everton in the Premier League, but has a blotted record when it comes to injuries, missing 15 games with hamstring and ankle issues last season. The striker has struggled to recapture the sort of form that earned him an England call-up five years ago, with injuries disrupting his seasons since.
He will undergo a medical next, and the details of his contract have not yet been revealed. He could make his first appearance as early as Monday night against his former club Everton.
Daniel Farke has been looking for a new striker since the start of the window, with Fulham's Rodrigo Muniz the top target. Italian club Atalanta are now likely to be his final destination, and Leeds have quickly pivoted to secure the services of Calvert-Lewin, whose future was being monitored by the likes of Manchester United and Newcastle United.
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Good strikers are a difficult market to shop in, and some fans say they've got one - with an important caveat. Reader Pimpollo says: "People will be out with their pitchforks on this one, but let's take a step back here folks.
"Newcastle are having trouble getting a striker with all the money they have, so it's going to be a lot harder for us to get one. As a target man he's excellent, but this will have to be a pay as you play deal..."
Commenter Whitesfan writes: "Not 100% enthusiastic about this, and like everyone else, the concern is the red flags over his injury record. But he clearly must tick some boxes, and he knows where the goal is. We may need a frank Farke presser to explain this one! He could prove an inspired choice or exactly what was predicted. Either way, subject to medical, he's here now!"
Calvert-Lewin isn't the complete solution, says Macstiv: "This can only be a quick fix. We need another striker that we can expect to be more available than not. We could have just stuck with Bamford!"
Other fans won't be expecting him to make a big splash at Leeds. Garybax58 writes: "Another underwhelming signing! We should have kept Paddy Bamford. I hope we have signed him on a pay as you play contract. We will be lucky if he plays a dozen games and scores 4 goals next season."
Kel1 says: "Hope he's just a squad filler. We need better than this, he's too injury prone."
Roscoe68 writes: "Not quite sure why they think this is the level of quality we need. He wasn’t up to much last season as far as I could see."
Zirnitra says: "Bamford will be scratching his head. Leeds are specialists in signing players who are injury prone. Seth Johnson anyone?"
On our Facebook page, Michael Dobbing writes: "Imagine my shock. Leeds Utd make out they're going to spend big on a striker and are waiting for the right time, then get a free, injury prone lad in who has average 75 goals in 300+ appearances. When 100% fit he's class, but that is very rare."
Jon Housden thinks he can rediscover his best at Leeds: "Players lose form because of the environment there are in. Many players have left clubs when they weren't playing well, then join another and their form goes through the roof. Form is lost, but the skill set will always be there."
Will Northcote hopes this isn't the end of the summer business: "He’d be good as a squad player on the bench, but underwhelming if he is the first choice striker."
Have your say! How useful do you think Dominic Calvert-Lewin will be for Leeds over the coming season? Comment below, and join in on the conversation.
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