Journalist Pete O’Rourke recently spoke on the Football Insider Transfer Insider podcast. He claims Leeds United are actively planning to sign a new striker this summer. This move depends on the club retaining their Premier League status.
Leeds United’s Summer Striker Search
Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored his tenth league goal on 6 February 2026 against Nottingham Forest. He became the first Englishman to hit that milestone in a debut Leeds United campaign since Matt Smith in 2013-14. However, that landmark feels like a distant memory now. Calvert-Lewin has 10 goals from 27 appearances. While his scoring has slowed, his overall work rate helps Leeds United stay above the relegation zone.
O’Rourke noted that Leeds sought attacking reinforcements in January. The club always planned to strengthen the frontline regardless of current form. Former scout Mick Brown believes Calvert-Lewin’s inconsistent form pushed Leeds toward this decision. So, the club now want a striker who offers more reliability. This new signing might partner with Calvert-Lewin in a two-man system rather than replacing him entirely.
Leeds and Crystal Palace both like Derby County’s Patrick Agyemang. The 25-year-old has ten goals in 29 Championship games this term. Also, Derby value him at roughly £20 million. The intent from Elland Road is clear, and O’Rourke insists that new attackers will arrive if Leeds United confirm survival.
“I think whatever was happening with Calvert-Lewin, the plan was always for Leeds to strengthen their attacking options (in the summer).
“They looked in January to see if there was anybody they could bring in to bolster their attacking options. Calvert-Lewin has been a revelation since his move to Elland Road on a free last summer.
“He’s obviously had a bit of a dip in form, not scored in four games for Leeds, but they haven’t scored in three of those. Goalscoring has been an issue for Leeds in that respect.
“If they stay up this season, I’m sure they’ll be looking to build on what they’ve achieved, and they will be looking to bring in attacking reinforcements. There’s no doubts about that.”
Can Leeds Build Around Calvert-Lewin, or Is a Bigger Solution Needed?
We must look past the headlines and check the data. Calvert-Lewin turns 29 this week. He currently holds 11 England caps and four international goals. His contract runs until June 2028. England boss Thomas Tuchel recently recalled him for friendlies against Uruguay and Japan. This ended a five-year absence from the national setup. This recall is a crucial factor, as it proves that elite coaches still value his ability.
However, the statistics show a striker who produces in short bursts. He then goes missing for weeks, which disrupts how the team play. Between 2019 and 2021, only Harry Kane scored more non-penalty goals. This proves Calvert-Lewin has a high potential. Sadly, fitness issues ruined his rhythm for years.
Hence, Leeds United must sign a new striker this summer. However, the way they pitch this move matters. Signing a forward to compete with Calvert-Lewin should suit Daniel Farke’s 3-5-2 system perfectly. Calvert-Lewin enjoys having teammates close to him. He often points to his best Everton season under Carlo Ancelotti as proof. He plays better when he isn’t a lonely figure up front.
Targeting Patrick Agyemang or Santiago Gimenez would actually help Calvert-Lewin. He performs best in a partnership. The real risk for Leeds isn’t spending money; the risk is treating this as a simple replacement. They need a structural upgrade that finally gives their best players the support they need.
