Leeds may have to break the bank for £35m World Cup striker wanted by Everton…

Leeds might need to spend significantly to secure the £35m World Cup striker that Everton is interested in.

Leeds United is highly likely to acquire a striker during the current summer transfer window to enhance their scoring capabilities for the upcoming season.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin was pivotal to Leeds United’s offensive efforts last season, finishing as the club’s top scorer in the Premier League with 14 goals. He performed admirably, but the burden of scoring fell too heavily on him.

The support he received was inconsistent. Lukas Nmecha contributed six league goals over 31 appearances, while Joel Piroe faced a challenging season, struggling for consistent playing time and failing to find the net in the Premier League.

Given the scarcity of goals beyond Calvert-Lewin, it is unsurprising that Leeds is focusing on acquiring another striker this summer. Enhancing their attacking options is expected to be one of the club’s primary goals before the transfer window closes.

They may need to pay a premium to secure a key target as they are encountering increasing competition from Everton.

Leeds might have to pay more than expected for Ayase Ueda.

Former Everton CEO Keith Wyness has indicated that Everton is currently leading the race to sign Ayase Ueda in this transfer window.

However, he noted that the Toffees may not be willing to meet the £35m fee that Feyenoord is asking for the 27-year-old striker this summer.

He believes Leeds could be in a stronger position to approach Feyenoord’s asking price. Nonetheless, he mentioned that the striker prefers to join Everton.

“Typically, the Premier League tends to attract players due to higher wages and the allure of the league, which enhances the player’s profile in their home country,” Wyness stated on Football Insider.

“From what I understand, Feyenoord is seeking a £35m valuation; Everton currently falls short of that. He certainly appears to be a talented player, though he remains untested in the Premier League.”

“We have observed numerous strikers transitioning from the Eredivisie, hailed as the next big stars, who have struggled to make an impact in the Premier League.

“Currently, Everton appears to be the frontrunner over Leeds, based on my understanding. However, Leeds might take further steps to meet Feyenoord’s asking price, and if they do, that could be pivotal in determining the outcome.

“From what I gather, the player would prefer a move to Everton if possible. I remain uncertain about his suitability for the Premier League, but we will have to wait and see. As of now, that is my assessment of the situation regarding the deal.

He could be a worthwhile risk

Leeds United heavily depended on Dominic Calvert-Lewin for scoring last season. Although he had another successful year, the rest of the team did not provide sufficient support.

Apart from Lukas Nmecha and Noah Okafor, Leeds faced challenges in consistently finding the back of the net from other attacking players. This lack of offensive sharpness proved detrimental on multiple occasions, as the Whites missed crucial opportunities throughout the season.

Therefore, it is not surprising that the club is aiming to bolster their attacking options this summer. Ayase Ueda is likely to draw significant interest following his recent performances, and his goal-scoring record from last season, along with his showing in the World Cup for Japan, indicates that he could be a gamble worth considering.

If Leeds aspires to secure their place in the Premier League next season, entering the campaign with only Calvert-Lewin and Nmecha as recognized senior striker options would be insufficient.