Leeds United are claimed to have lodged an enquiry to Stuttgart striker Ermedin Demirovic, amidst the arrival of Dominic Calvert-Lewin on a free transfer.
Daniel Farke was under no illusions after an opening day victory that while his side deserved those three points against Everton, he’s clearly lacking in his attack.
The signings of Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Noah Okafor will go some way to remedying what Farke diagnosed in the first game, but more is expected in the final days of the window.
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Leeds United lodge enquiry for Stuttgart striker Ermedin Demirovic
Having brought in Calvert-Lewin this month on a free transfer, Farke did suggest that Leeds will be staying alert to any potential market opportunities in the striker position.
While Okafor could well be that signing for him, knowing he’s capable of playing as a centre-forward too, Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg has revealed that Leeds have lodged an enquiry for Stuttgart striker Ermedin Demirovic.
(REUTERS/Marko Djurica)
The Bosnian managed 15 goals and one assist last season, but is unhappy over a lack of consistent playing time at the Bundesliga club, indicating he may leave.
Nottingham Forest were also named in the update as having asked Stuttgart about the possibility of signing the 27-year-old.
Clarity behind Leeds United’s Ermedin Demirovic ‘enquiry’ amidst Dominic Calvert-Lewin conundrum
Demirovic is a name many with knowledge of the Bundesliga last season would have suggested as a plausible Rodrigo Muniz alternative, given his goal return and skill-set over in Germany.
So a concrete link between Leeds and Demirovic makes sense in terms of what United wanted since the start of the window, and that’s a marquee striker signing.
However, does it make much sense now that Leeds have their new number nine? The Premier League site states that number has been handed to Calvert-Lewin, a strong indication of Leeds’ plans up front.
Leeds United’s new striker signing Dominic Calvert-Lewin won’t have joined without game time assurances. (Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff)
There may well be temptation from Farke to add a fourth senior striker to the ranks if the market allows for a worthwhile deal, but given United will be playing with a lone striker this season more often than not, and Calvert-Lewin won’t have moved to a newly-promoted side without assurances that he’s a regular starter, Demirovic doesn’t make all that much sense anymore.
While this enquiry for the Stuttgart front man has come to light this week, after the arrivals of Calvert-Lewin and auxiliary forward option Okafor, there’s every chance that Leeds put the feelers out for Demirovic earlier in August after it became clear Fulham’s Muniz was not attainable and before they landed on the England international.
Similarly, Forest’s name being thrown into the mix doesn’t tie in with the business they’ve now conducted, adding £26million Rennes striker Arnaud Kalimuendo and £10million Botafogo man Igor Jesus to their depth behind leading forward Chris Wood.
Add to that the investment it would take to get Demirovic out of Stuttgart, a 2024 signing for a reported £22.5million fee, and you have a significant spend that further muddies the waters of who would be the first choice striker, while also shrinking the budget for more pressing matters, which is adding another wide option or attacking midfielder that this side so clearly needs, on top of the backup full-back that’s in view too.
He’s undoubtedly a good player and someone that will have caught Leeds’ recruitment staff’s eye as a Muniz alternative, but after Calvert-Lewin and Okafor arrived to strengthen forward options, there’s no real reason why Leeds would persist with Demirovic interest when he’d likely be a rotation option.
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