Leeds United's summer rebuild is gathering pace, and it could soon involve a high-profile departure from one of their Premier League rivals.
It has been reported that Leeds and Daniel Farke are preparing a formal offer for Everton striker Beto, in a deal expected to cost between £20–22m.
Beto-1
The Guinea-Bissau international, who joined the Toffees from Udinese last summer for €25m (£21m), is now set to leave after a behind-the-scenes fallout.
Sources suggest manager David Moyes has been left unimpressed by Beto’s attitude during pre-season.
While Everton will sanction a sale, they will not do so without lining up a replacement.
Beto’s departure would leave a void up front for the Merseyside club, but it could open the door for a fascinating tactical development at Leeds.
Farke already boasts new signing Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who spurned interest from Sunderland to join the 49ers-owned project, but the club wants a second striker who can both complement and compete with the England international.
And it’s here where a certain Greek international could come into play.
Leeds targeting another striker after Calvert-Lewin
According to BBC Sport, Fotis Ioannidis, the 25-year-old Panathinaikos striker, has emerged as another leading target, with the Yorkshire side closely tracking the player amid their bid to bolster the centre-forward ranks.
Fotis-Ioannidis-celtic-transfer-greece
Fotis Ioannidis
The Greek forward stands at 1.87m, slightly shorter than Beto but with a more rounded technical skill set.
He has been capped 17 times by his national team, scoring six goals, and has built a reputation in Greece as a "complete" centre-forward, as per analyst Ben Mattinson.
Over his Panathinaikos career, he has netted 51 goals and registered 15 assists in 188 games, including four strikes in last season’s Europa Conference League.
The player is also attracting interest from Norwich City, Sporting Lisbon, and Porto, underlining his growing reputation.
Why Ioannidis could outshine Beto & thrive with Calvert-Lewin
For all of Beto’s physical attributes - 1.94m tall, 5.81 aerials won per 90, and a 46.9% shot accuracy - his spell in England has been marked by inconsistency.
In 60 league appearances for Everton, he has scored just 11 goals.
While his eight strikes in 30 games last season suggest improvement, his game remains limited when it comes to interplay and creating for others.
Beto - PL record
Stat (*per game)
Games
Goals
Big chances missed
Goal frequency
Assists
Big chances created
Key passes*
Total duels won*
Possession lost*
via Sofascore
Ioannidis, by contrast, offers a more complementary skill set to Calvert-Lewin.
The former Everton man is at his best when receiving service into the box or operating as a focal point for crosses, using his strength and leaping ability to dominate in the air.
To maximise his output, he needs a partner who can stretch defences horizontally, combine in tight spaces, and carry the ball into dangerous areas.
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Fotis Ioannidis
Ioannidis fits that mould.
Where Beto offers aerial dominance (ranking in the 97th percentile for aerials won per 90), Ioannidis brings more intelligent link-up play and positional versatility.
His movement allows him to drop deep, combine with midfield runners, and create space for a partner - attributes that could prove invaluable alongside a target man like Calvert-Lewin.
According to FBref, Beto outshoots Ioannidis (2.87 shots per 90 compared to 2.13), but the Greek forward’s higher involvement in build-up phases and his intelligent off-ball runs suggest he would allow Calvert-Lewin to remain central, rather than drifting wide to link play himself.
That could be the key to Leeds getting the most out of their marquee forward signing. And this isn’t just about the numbers, it’s about the fit.
Leeds’ Championship dominance last season was built on fluid attacking movements, rapid transitions, and a willingness to commit players forward.
In the Premier League, they will face more organised, physically imposing defences, making quick combinations and creative runs even more essential.
Ioannidis’ ability to operate between the lines could be the tactical tweak that helps Farke’s men bridge the gap in quality.
The financial element also plays a role. At a market value of €15m £13m), as per Transfermarkt, Ioannidis would cost significantly less than Beto’s original fee, allowing Leeds to invest in other key areas.
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Beto scoring for Everton.
That value could rise sharply if he adapts quickly to English football, making him a potential long-term asset rather than a short-term gamble.
If the move happens, it would also carry symbolic weight.
Leeds’ return to the top flight has already been marked by ambition - the arrival of Calvert-Lewin, the free transfer of Lukas Nmecha, and continued pursuit of talents like Noah Okafor and Manor Solomon signal intent.
Solomon-Leeds
With Everton set to visit Elland Road on the opening weekend, there is a subplot in the making.
Beto could be lining up in white rather than blue - or perhaps not at all - while his potential replacement is unveiled as the man to lead the line alongside Calvert-Lewin.
Should the Greek forward adapt as well as Leeds’ recruitment team believes, this could be the start of a formidable partnership.
Calvert-Lewin-Leeds
Calvert-Lewin’s aerial power and hold-up play, paired with Ioannidis’ mobility and link-up ability, would give Leeds a blend of physical presence and tactical intelligence few Premier League sides could match.
For Farke, who has shown a willingness to tweak his system to suit his personnel, it could be the difference between another fight for survival and a push towards mid-table respectability.
And for Leeds fans, who have seen enough false dawns in recent years, it might finally be a strike duo worth getting excited about.