Key Points
- Journalist Pete O’Rourke spoke on the Football Insider Transfer Insider podcast, claiming Leeds United are actively planning to sign a new striker this summer, contingent on retaining Premier League status.
- Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored his 10th league goal on 6 February 2026 against Nottingham Forest, becoming the first Englishman to reach that milestone in a debut Leeds United campaign since Matt Smith in 2013-14.
- Calvert-Lewin has 10 goals from 27 appearances this season, but his scoring has slowed with only one goal in his last nine top-flight outings, amid Leeds’ goalscoring struggles.
- Despite the dip, Calvert-Lewin’s work rate has helped Leeds stay above the relegation zone; he earned an England call-up for friendlies against Uruguay and Japan.
- Joel Piroe has failed to score in 13 league appearances and is likely to depart in summer after rejecting January moves, becoming a bit-part player.
- Lukas Nmecha has six goals in 24 Premier League outings as a summer signing.
- Leeds sought attacking reinforcements in January but held back for summer; Daniel Farke aware of injury risks with Calvert-Lewin, Nmecha, and Noah Okafor.
- Potential targets include Derby County’s Patrick Agyemang (10 Championship goals), Bodo/Glimt’s Kasper Hogh (Champions League standout, Celtic ahead), and others like Josh Sargent or Ayase Ueda.
- Leeds promoted last season with 100 Championship points, now fighting relegation; supercomputer gives them low relegation odds post-Forest win.
- O’Rourke stressed: “Calvert-Lewin has been a revelation… but they haven’t scored in three of those [recent games]. If they stay up, they’ll be looking to bring in attacking reinforcements.”
Leeds (The Leeds Times) March 30, 2026 – Leeds United are plotting a summer striker signing to bolster their attack amid Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s recent dip in form, as revealed by transfer expert Pete O’Rourke on Football Insider’s Transfer Insider podcast. The move hinges on the Whites avoiding relegation from the Premier League, where they sit precariously but buoyed by the forward’s earlier contributions. Calvert-Lewin netted his 10th league goal in a 3-1 victory over Nottingham Forest on 6 February 2026, emulating Matt Smith’s feat from 2013-14 as the first Englishman to hit double figures in a debut Leeds top-flight season.
- Key Points
- Is Leeds United Planning a Summer Striker Move?
- What Has Been Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s Impact at Leeds?
- Why Is Calvert-Lewin’s Dip in Form a Concern?
- Who Else Is Struggling in Leeds’ Attack?
- What Are the Potential Striker Targets?
- Does Premier League Survival Depend on This?
- Is a Bigger Solution Needed Beyond One Signing?
Is Leeds United Planning a Summer Striker Move?
As reported by Pete O’Rourke of Football Insider, Leeds United are
“planning to sign a new centre-forward if they survive being relegated from the Premier League”.
O’Rourke elaborated on the Transfer Insider podcast:
“I think whatever was happening with Calvert-Lewin, the plan was always for Leeds to strengthen their attacking options (in the summer).”
He noted the club scoured the market in January without success, underscoring the urgency if Premier League survival is secured.
Daniel Farke’s side pushed for attackers until deadline day last summer but failed to land a proven number nine, leaving them reliant on existing options amid early-season open-play drought—no goals in their first three Premier League fixtures. Pete O’Rourke of Football Insider added:
“Obviously, they were in the market for an attacking player right up until deadline day – Leeds have yet to score a goal in open play in the Premier League in three games.”
Sources indicate Leeds view this as essential to compete with Calvert-Lewin and address squad depth.
What Has Been Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s Impact at Leeds?
Dominic Calvert-Lewin joined Leeds on a free transfer on 15 August 2025 on a three-year deal after leaving Everton, where he scored 57 Premier League goals over 239 appearances. In his debut campaign, the 29-year-old Englishman reached 10 league goals from 27 outings, including his landmark strike against Nottingham Forest on 6 February 2026 in a 3-1 win at Elland Road. Senior Football Journalist Peter Smith of Sky Sports reported:
“Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s 10th league goal of season sealed it”
after Jayden Bogle and Noah Okafor put Leeds ahead.
Wikipedia confirms Calvert-Lewin as the first Leeds player to win Premier League Player of the Month since Rio Ferdinand in 2001, earning the December 2025 award. However, form has waned: just one goal in his last nine top-flight games, coinciding with Leeds’ struggles—they failed to score in three of those matches. O’Rourke praised:
“Calvert-Lewin has been a revelation since his move to Elland Road on a free last summer… If he can stay fit, he could prove to be a real asset.”
His aerial dominance and hold-up play remain vital, keeping Leeds out of the bottom three despite injury concerns.
Matt Smith, referenced in historical context, scored 12 Championship goals in 39 appearances for Leeds in 2013-14, the last Englishman to match Calvert-Lewin’s early feat.
Why Is Calvert-Lewin’s Dip in Form a Concern?
Calvert-Lewin’s slowdown has highlighted vulnerabilities, with O’Rourke noting on the podcast:
“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.”
TheLeedsPress reported Farke’s awareness of fitness risks for Calvert-Lewin, Nmecha, and Okafor, given their histories. Despite 10 goals total, Leeds’ attack lacks consistency, prompting reinforcement plans.
This comes as Calvert-Lewin earned an England call-up, yet club bosses seek competition. Yardbarker describes him as providing
“aerial dominance, hold-up play and consistent goal threat,”
but recent blanks underline the need for more firepower to ensure survival.
Who Else Is Struggling in Leeds’ Attack?
Joel Piroe, Championship top scorer with 19 goals last season, has zero league goals from 13 appearances, reduced to a bit-part role. As per TheLeedsPress, Piroe rejected January exits but is “almost certain to leave” in summer for regular football, with Leeds eyeing replacements. Yahoo Sports noted:
“Limited playing time in the Premier League may eventually push him to seek a new opportunity.”
Lukas Nmecha, summer arrival, has six goals in 24 outings but leads the line amid early woes. O’Rourke highlighted:
“Nmecha has been leading the line in the first few games… there are options there for Daniel Farke’s team.”
Farke challenged players to step up, but winter plans faltered, leaving depth thin.
What Are the Potential Striker Targets?
Leeds have eyes on Derby’s Patrick Agyemang, who has 10 Championship goals and three assists, sharing top-scorer honours at 6’4″ with playoff-pushing Derby. Football Insider links them amid Piroe’s likely exit:
“Leeds United target World Cup-bound striker as £16m star nears summer exit.”
Yahoo Sports added:
“Leeds clearly view Agyemang as a significant enhancement, providing the physicality and finishing ability essential for maintaining their status in the top division.”
Kasper Hogh of Bodo/Glimt, with five Champions League goals in six games, is admired but Celtic lead due to UCL prospects. Others tipped include Josh Sargent (Norwich) and Japan’s Ayase Ueda (19 goals in 22, “Leeds written all over him” per Andy Brassell). Teamtalk mentioned three major targets, though specifics centred on attack beyond Jorgen Strand Larsen miss. OneFootball noted Leeds rivalling Crystal Palace for Agyemang.
Does Premier League Survival Depend on This?
Leeds won promotion with a record 100 Championship points, edging Burnley on goal difference—the first 100-point haul in club history. Now, post-Forest win, supercomputer odds of relegation slashed to 5.47%, predicting 44 points. Yet predictions like OneFootball’s 18th-place tip loom.
O’Rourke stressed:
“It’s obvious they will need a regular goalscorer if they are to have any chance of staying up.”
Farke relies on defence for “ugly points” until January, but summer overhaul is key if survival holds. TheLeedsPress anticipates Farke demanding strikers, reviving interests like Fulham’s Harry Wilson.
Is a Bigger Solution Needed Beyond One Signing?
O’Rourke affirmed:
“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.”
With Piroe’s shadow-striker style misfitting Farke’s high-energy system, multiple additions loom. Teamtalk hinted at 49ers owners targeting three majors, including goalkeeper amid Lucas Perri’s underperformance.
Leeds’ boardroom, backed by US investors, eyes ambition—avoiding the newly-promoted relegation trend Farke aims to buck. As TheLeedsPress quoted O’Rourke: “Leeds still need an extra goal scorer… if they are to survive.” Calvert-Lewin’s “revelation” status persists, but depth is the bigger fix for Elland Road’s survival bid.
