Sources: Leeds work on new striker pursuit after deal collapses
Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version or go back to LFC Live.net.
(Credit Hasan Karim, Breaking Media/Imago)
Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent
Fri 12 September 2025 10:53, UK
Leeds United’s requirement for a “regular goalscorer” has seen Daniel Farke turn his attention to Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta, sources have told Football Insider
Farke saw Leeds fail with a pair of late moves for Harry Wilson and former loanee Manor Solomon, and Football Insider reported on 5 September that the Leeds boss is “concerned” at their lack of firepower.
As I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Leeds still want to bring in a regular goalscorer in January despite the additions of both Lukas Nmecha and Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Mateta has emerged as an option to solve Leeds’ goalscoring problems amid uncertainty over his Crystal Palace future, but they’ve been told to pay roughly £50million after Tottenham saw a £40m bid rejected.
Farke has been described as taking Leeds “into a gun fight with a water pistol” due to their lack of quality in the final third, but my sources have said this is an area the Whites will look to address come January.
Sources have told Football Insider that while Leeds believe Calvert-Lewin in particular could be a “real asset” if he stays fit this season, another striker like Mateta is needed for their survival to be assured.
Credit: Manh Tung, Breaking Media
Football Insider revealed on Monday that Crystal Palace have no plans to sell Mateta in January amid interest from Leeds and Newcastle, after Man United also emerged as a possible destination for him.
MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES
On the new Inside Track podcast, I was told that a move for Mateta “is never going to happen” at Elland Road, but my sources have said that Leeds are still working on signing a new number nine.
“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”, I told Football Insider.
“[Lukas] Nmecha has been leading the line in the first few games of season, while [Dominic] Calvert-Lewin came on and did quite well against Newcastle.
“If he can stay fit, he could prove to be a real asset for Leeds United, so there are options there for Daniel Farke’s team.
“It’s obvious they will need a regular goalscorer if they are to have any chance of staying up.”
Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media
Leeds’ goalscoring issues so far this term have been billed as the most likely problem to result in Farke’s sacking at some point in the campaign, although the German hasn’t been entirely backed in the market.
Even if Palace did decide to sell their star striker Mateta as soon as January, Leeds would likely be behind the likes of Newcastle, West Ham and arch-rivals Man United in the running given their league status.
Farke pressed 49ers Enterprises to bring in attacking upgrades throughout the summer transfer window, and even if Leeds are in a relatively comfortable position come the winter window, reinforcements must be top of the agenda.