Leeds United returned to the Premier League this season after two years away, earning promotion as Championship winners under Daniel Farke. The Whites are now in a tough spot, battling West Ham, Nottingham Forest, and Tottenham to stay clear of the final relegation place, with just four points between the four clubs.
Staying up would reportedly give Farke a £100 million transfer budget, as the 49ers ownership and Red Bull partnership continue to put serious financial backing behind the club. With the summer window coming up and squad upgrades high on the list, Farke is already looking toward the continent for targets.
Leeds United eye Tabaković from Gladbach
German newspaper Bild, via Sport Witness, reports that Leeds have a strong interest in signing Haris Tabaković, the 31-year-old striker currently on loan at Borussia Mönchengladbach from Hoffenheim. Tabaković has done well during his time in the Bundesliga, scoring 13 goals and providing three assists in 30 games across all competitions. His stats are exceptional with an npxG of 9.47, which puts him in the top 91st percentile of Bundesliga players, while his goal involvement is 0.64 per 90 minutes. His 20% conversion rate also beats Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s 17%. (Stats via Footy Stats).
Bild initially mentioned reports from Bosnia linking Lille with the forward to replace Olivier Giroud. However, the German outlet then shifted focus to Leeds United, noting Tabaković’s frustration that Gladbach haven’t spoken to him about his long-term future.
Gladbach sporting director Rouven Schröder pointed to tight finances and a crowded front line as reasons for the delay, with Tim Kleindienst, Shuto Machino, and Tomas Cvancara all set to be in the squad this summer. Tabaković, who will play in this summer’s World Cup with Bosnia and Herzegovina, has said that without any news, he expects to head back to Hoffenheim for another season.
Would Tabaković actually solve Leeds’ problem or simply delay it?
The link makes sense on paper, but it needs a closer look. Farke has already shown through his transfer plans that a striker is a priority. While Calvert-Lewin has scored 10 Premier League goals, there are still doubts about whether he can lead the line alone. Tabaković’s numbers in Germany are strong, and his aerial strength, winning 51.1% of duels compared to Calvert-Lewin’s 39.6%, would suit Farke’s direct, two-striker system.
However, the worry isn’t about his ability, but his age. He turns 32 before next season starts. Clubs don’t usually buy 32-year-old forwards to build a future around; they buy them as a quick solution. If Leeds United stay up and want to become a solid mid-table Premier League side, spending a lot on a player at the end of his career could be the kind of short-term thinking that have held the club back before.
With the 49ers and Red Bull providing the funds, Leeds United can afford to go after a younger striker who has already proven himself in the Premier League. Tabaković could be a useful squad player, but making him the main signing of the summer would show a lack of ambition right when Leeds need it most.
