Ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, Leeds United faced the prospect of fighting to stay in the Premier League after promotion from the Championship the season prior.
Daniel Farke’s side romped England’s second-tier, subsequently winning the Championship title, but there’s no denying the top-flight is a huge step in quality.
The German was handed over £90m worth of funds to make the additions he craved, subsequently making some shrewd additions and getting superb value for money.
Leeds United manager Daniel Farke
The Whites now sit six points clear of the relegation places with just a couple of months of the season remaining, with such a position no doubt exceeding the expectations of the fanbase.
However, despite the recent spending spree in the summer, the hierarchy attempted to make further reinforcements in January, with one player emerging as a top target.
Leeds’ failed move to land Jorgen Strand Larsen in January
In an attempt to bolster the frontline during the January transfer window, Leeds made a beeline to secure the signature of Wolves striker Jorgen Strand Larsen.
The Norwegian has been a man out of form during 2025/26, as seen by his tally of just one goal in 22 appearances, but Farke evidently had faith in him to provide the goods.
Strand Larsen
As a result of the Whites’ interest in the 25-year-old, the hierarchy decided to back the manager, subsequently making an offer worth £30m before add-ons.
However, despite the offer being rejected, it was thought Farke’s men were leading the race for his signature, as no other sides had made an approach for the forward.
The situation would take a dramatic turn with just a couple of days remaining, as Crystal Palace shocked the division by making a £50m offer including add-ons.
After promotion, Leeds were in no position to match such a transfer fee, with the Whites walking away from negotiations to allow the Eagles to complete a move for the 25-year-old.
jorgen-strand-larsen-wolves
As a result, Facundo Buonanotte remained as the only new arrival at Elland Road, with the hierarchy undoubtedly missing a chance to strengthen their survival bid.
The former Leeds star who is an upgrade on Strand Larsen
Despite missing out on the signature of Strand Larsen in January, Leeds do already have two superb attacking options within their ranks in the form of Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha.
Dominic-Calvert-Lewin-4
The former of the duo has been the club’s regular starter for the majority of the campaign, subsequently impressing massively in the final third of the pitch.
After signing on a free transfer from Everton, the Englishman has netted nine goals in the Premier League this season - currently sitting as the side’s top-scorer.
As for the German, he’s often had to play second fiddle to Calvert-Lewin, but it has not stopped him from scoring five times in his 19 league appearances to date.
The pair’s tally of 14 goals this season has no doubt strengthened their survival bid, but it would certainly have been strengthened with a move for Strand Larsen.
Calvert-Lewin
However, he’s not the only forward who could have provided the goods, with former striker Chris Wood a player who could have had a massive impact had he remained at Elland Road.
The New Zealand international left the Whites nine years ago in the summer of 2017, subsequently joining Burnley in a then club-record departure of around £15m.
He racked up a total of 88 appearances during his two-year spell in Yorkshire, scoring on 44 occasions and so often providing the goods in the final third in the Championship.
In the years since his departure, the 34-year-old has become a top-level Premier League talisman, as seen by his recent goalscoring form in such a division.
Chris-Wood-Nottingham-Forest
Wood, who currently plies his trade for Nottingham Forest, has made 91 appearances for the Reds, subsequently finding the back of the net on 39 occasions.
However, his numbers from last season showcase the talent he possesses in England’s top-flight, as he found the net 20 times in his 36 league appearances.
Such a tally was his best-ever in the division, which helped the Reds achieve qualification for European football against all odds for the first time in over 30 years.
During such a season, he also managed to outscore Strand Larsen by six goals, with his form once again showcasing that the club made the wrong call by offloading him nine years ago.
How Wood & Strand Larsen compare for goals
Season
2025/26
2024/25
2023/24
2022/23
2021/22
2020/21
2019/20
Stats via FotMob
Even in 2025/26, Wood has managed to net more goals than Strand Larsen, despite being ruled out of action since October after suffering a knee injury and undergoing surgery.
His form away from Elland Road is hardly a surprise given his time in Yorkshire, with the Leeds fans simply having to sit back and watch him provide the goods for one of their relegation rivals.
Chris Wood Leeds record (timeless)
The addition of the former Wolves star would have been a statement of intent from the hierarchy, but his lack of goals would have made any move a huge risk.
As for Farke and the fanbase, they will both be hoping their previous recruitment will be enough to secure their top-flight status when the season draws to a close in a few months time.
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