(Credit: Imago/Manh Tung, Breaking Media)

Jonathan Burnett

Fri 15 August 2025 17:00, UK

Dominic Calvert-Lewin could prove to be a “statement” signing for Leeds United this season if he can stay fit at Elland Road.

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Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, former Peacocks and England goalkeeper Paul Robinson questioned if Calvert-Lewin could overcome his fitness concerns at Leeds.

Sunderland had been seen as front-runners to sign the former Everton striker this summer, but Leeds agreed a deal in principle on Wednesday to bring the 28-year-old free agent to Elland Road instead.

Leeds had backed off from talks with Calvert-Lewin due to his weekly wage demands of £150,000, but Robinson told Football Insider that the Whites’ change of heart could prove to be a shrewd decision.

Calvert-Lewin‘s last four injury-afflicted seasons at Everton each saw him score less than eight goals, but Robinson told Football Insider that the striker can prove his “top class” credentials should his fitness hold up in LS11.

Calvert-Lewin was hardly prolific for Everton last season (Credit: Imago)

This article contains exclusive comment from Paul Robinson, a football pundit and former England, Tottenham and Leeds goalkeeper.

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Football Insider revealed on Friday that Leeds are readying a £20–22million bid for Beto, potentially reuniting the Everton frontman with Calvert-Lewin if deals are struck for both strikers this summer.

Speaking on the latest Inside Track podcast, Robinson was asked if Calvert-Lewin can prove that he’s the calibre of striker that Leeds will need to fire them to safety in the Premier League this season.

“If he’s fit, yes, but he hasn’t been proven fit for the last however many seasons”, Robinson told Football Insider.

“He’s a top player, and I think it’s a huge coup for Leeds to get, but they’re going to need somebody else because you can’t rely on him being fit for the whole season and that’s an issue.

“It’s a big signing, it’s a statement signing, and I think the fans will take to him if he’s fit, firing and scoring goals every week.

“There’s no doubt that when he is fit, he’s a goal scorer; but you look at the past season, two seasons, three seasons, he’s not done it on a regular basis.

“I’ve got absolutely no doubt in his ability – I think he’s a top-class player, but unfortunately for him, [his fitness] is out of his control.”

Calvert-Lewin and Beto could be reunited at Elland Road (Credit: Hasan Karin, Breaking Media)

Leeds’ business in the first half of this summer’s transfer window could hardly be faulted, as Daniel Farke strengthened the rear of his team with six brand-new defensive signings across several key positions.

With a new goalkeeper, left-back, centre-backs and two central midfielders all in the building, the second half of the window has been a struggle with Leeds looking set to miss out on Fulham’s Rodrigo Muniz.

Lukas Nmecha’s own move from Wolfsburg on a free transfer is Leeds’ only attack-minded acquisition so far, and given Calvert-Lewin’s arrival could also flatter to deceive, a strong end to the window is needed to give Farke the Premier League squad he needs.

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