Key Points
- Leeds United are reportedly targeting Feyenoord striker Ayase Ueda ahead of the summer transfer window.
- Everton and Tottenham Hotspur are also said to be interested in the Japanese forward.
- Ueda has scored 26 goals in all competitions this season, according to multiple reports.
- Tottenham are reported to have already done background work on the player.
- Leeds are believed to hope that Ueda’s Japan teammate Ao Tanaka could help them in any transfer battle.
- Feyenoord signed Ueda in August 2023, and his contract runs until June 2028.
- Reports suggest the 27-year-old could be among several Premier League-linked strikers on the move this summer.
Leeds United (The Leeds Times) May 5, 2026 are being linked with Feyenoord striker Ayase Ueda, with reports describing the Japanese international as a key target for the summer transfer window. As reported by TEAMtalk and echoed by other outlets, the interest is not isolated, with Everton and Tottenham Hotspur also monitoring the 27-year-old.
Why has Ayase Ueda attracted Premier League attention?
Ueda’s form this season is the main reason for the growing interest. Multiple reports state that he has scored 26 goals in all competitions, making him one of the standout forwards in European football this season.
As reported by Ekrem Konur, whose claim was circulated by several outlets, Tottenham have already carried out background work on the player, while Leeds are thought to be considering the possible influence of Ueda’s Japan teammate Ao Tanaka if they move forward with a bid. The reports do not say that any club has made a formal offer at this stage, only that interest is active.
Which clubs are involved?
Leeds, Everton and Tottenham are the three clubs most consistently named in the reports, while Brighton have also been mentioned by some outlets.
TeamTalk said all three Premier League sides have scouted Ueda and completed background checks during the 2025/26 campaign.
That suggests the interest is more than a passing link, although the public reporting stops short of confirming negotiations.
Tottenham’s involvement appears to be the most developed in terms of preparation, with one report saying the club’s admiration is “not a recent development”.
Leeds, meanwhile, are said to be hoping their squad connection through Tanaka could strengthen their case. Everton’s name has also appeared repeatedly as they look to strengthen their attack for next season.
What do Ueda’s Feyenoord numbers show?
Ueda joined Feyenoord from Cercle Brugge in August 2023 and signed a contract lasting until June 2028. Feyenoord’s own announcement at the time confirmed the deal was a five-year agreement.
That contract length means any club interested in him may have to pay a significant fee rather than expecting an easy summer deal.
There is also a broader context behind the current speculation. One report said Feyenoord paid a club-record fee of about €10 million for him, and that he initially struggled before improving sharply this season.
Another source listed his market value at around €15 million, though market estimates can differ from any eventual transfer price.
How strong is the reporting?
The core claim appears consistent across several outlets: Leeds United are interested, Everton and Tottenham are also in the race, and Ueda’s form has made him a target.
The repeated mention of Ekrem Konur’s update adds weight to the story, but the reports remain framed as an interest rather than a completed move.
It is also worth noting that some details vary slightly between sources, especially around his exact age and the number of games or goal contributions listed.
The most consistent figures are that he is 27, he plays for Feyenoord, and he has been prolific this season. On that basis, the safest reading is that the transfer story is credible as a developing link, not as a confirmed negotiation.
Background of the development
Ayase Ueda was signed by Feyenoord in 2023 after earlier spells in Japan and Belgium, and the club tied him down to a contract running until 2028. Reports now suggest his form has improved enough to put him on the radar of several Premier League clubs ahead of the summer window.
The wider development is part of a familiar pattern in the transfer market: strong scoring form in continental Europe often triggers Premier League interest, especially when clubs are looking for proven forwards.
In Ueda’s case, the combination of goals, age, and contract length makes him a notable name in early summer speculation.
Prediction for Leeds fans
For Leeds United supporters, this development suggests the club may be aiming higher in its search for a striker and could pursue a player with a strong recent scoring record. If the club turns interest into a formal bid, competition from Everton and Tottenham could make the deal difficult and potentially more expensive.
The most likely short-term effect is that Leeds fans will see Ueda’s name remain part of the summer rumour cycle until there is either a firm offer or a clear denial. If the links persist, it may also indicate that Leeds are prioritising a forward who can add immediate goals rather than a long-term project.
