Credit: Imago

Jack Heath

Thu 31 July 2025 19:30, UK

Leeds need to come to a decision over Rodrigo Muniz after missing out on Igor Paixao as other attacking options present themselves.

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The Peacocks returned to the English top-flight after a mesmerising season in the Championship as they won the title with 100 points.

Daniel Farke’s side were a goal scoring machine, netting 95 goals across 46 matches with Joel Piroe grabbing 19 of them.

Their Premier League preparation has gone slightly under the radar as the Yorkshire outfit quietly bolster their squad.

The signings of Lucas Perri from Lyon and Gabriel Gudmundsson from Lille are solid additions to strengthen weak positions in defence.

Up top is proving to be difficult for the Whites after they could not come to an agreement to sign Feyenoord’s Paixao, sending their search elsewhere for another striker.

Daniel Farke is hoping to keep Leeds up next season (Credit: Imago)

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According to The Athletic (31 July), Fulham’s frontman is Leeds’ “key target at the tip of the attack” but, with the end of the transfer window ever approaching, “urgency is increasing”.

Reportedly, “alternatives to Muniz are on [Leeds] United’s radar” as Farke looks to find back-up options in case a move for the Brazilian falls through.

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Muniz becomes an option for the newly promoted side after missing out on Paixao

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Football Insider verdict

Should the pursuit of the Fulham forward come to nothing, the northern side could also reassess their current striking talent.

Dutchman Piroe will evidently lead the line after his sensational season in the Championship last year.

Whether he can adapt to the step up in difficulty remains to be considering he has only played in the English second-division and the Eredivisie.

Whilst he is unlikely to get much game time, Patrick Bamford’s Premier League experience will be invaluable to aid the host of forwards settle in a tougher division.

Joel PiroePatrick BamfordLukas NmechaLargie RamazaniAppearances48182031Minutes played3203329490987Goals19037Assists7002Leeds forwards statistics in the 2024-25 season across all competitions (Source: Sofascore)

German Lukas Nmecha joined Leeds on a free after six years at Wolfsburg.

The 26-year-old was limited to just three starts in the Bundesliga as he contended with an array of injuries, but he’ll be looking to play his part under compatriot Farke.

However, the exciting name on fans’ lips is Largie Ramazani after he impressed in his debut season at Elland Road.

Starting seven of his 31 matches, the Belgian found the back of the net on seven occasions, even after an early ankle injury forced him to sit out for a few weeks.

Therefore, the club hierarchy does have alternatives at their disposal to back up Piroe if they cannot bring in Muniz or another striker for that matter.

But, as the German manager knows, without a source of goals, relegation will be on the cards for any promoted side.