Leeds United could be set to add another striker to their ranks this summer.
If everything goes as expected, Joel Piroe will be sold by Leeds before the new season. The 26-year-old was completley ineffective on the rare occasions he was used by Daniel Farke in the Premier League last season.
So if Piroe leaves, Leeds’ options up top are either Dominic Calvert-Lewin or Lukas Nmecha. Calvert-Lewin was incredible as our first-choice striker last season. Nmecha also proved to be a handful off the bench a couple of times last season, chipping in with a few valuable goals of his own.
But undoubtedly, Leeds would benefit from signing a striker who can push Calvert-Lewin for his place in the starting XI. The 49ers look as though they may attempt to do this this summer, according to recent reports.
Leeds United “discuss” deal for Feyenoord’s Ayase Ueda
According to reports from the Daily Mail, United have “discussed” a potential deal for Ayase Ueda.
Ueda, 27, is a Japanese international who plays in the Eredivisie with Feyenoord. The forward enjoyed a sensational season last year, scoring 25 league goals in 31 Eredivisie appearances.
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On top of this, Ueda also bagged two goals at the World Cup before Japan were ultimately knocked out by Brazil.
But it seems we shouldn’t get too excited over a potential deal for Ueda. The same report also claims that Leeds feel other targets they have may represent better value.
These other players are not named in the report.
According to Transfermarkt, Ueda is valued at around £14.5million. That may give us a rough estimate as to how much United are willing to fork out on another striker.
Lukas Nmecha clearly doesn’t have a long-term future at Leeds
Given that Leeds are actively seeking out another striker, that is surely evidence that Farke does not have a great deal of faith in Nmecha to lead the line in any potential absence of Calvert-Lewin next season.
Nmecha has just one year remaining on his deal at Leeds, and I could easily envisage him leaving on a free in 2027 if he rarely plays again next season.
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Last year, he played a total of 1092 Premier League minutes, according to Sofascore. But if another quality striker arrives in West Yorkshire this summer, his gametime could shrink even further.
Whilst six Premier League goals last season is impressive from Nmecha, his general performances weren’t impressive when he started games in terms of his hold-up play.
Nmecha is, however, a very useful asset to bring off the bench when chasing a game. Or he even proved last season that he can give Farke the option to play two up top.
But it’s clear Leeds don’t feel they can put their full faith in Nmecha when it comes to starting regularly and pushing Calvert-Lewin for his place in the team. Hence why we are being linked with other strikers.
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