Sources: Leeds work on striker signing, decision made on structure of deal
Leeds United are only likely to sign a new striker on a loan deal in January, sources have told Football Insider.
A new frontman has been a priority for the Whites for several weeks now, but their recent change in formation is understood to have left them viewing that requirement slightly differently.
Daniel Farke has played Lukas Nmecha alongside Dominic Calvert-Lewin at times of late, and sources now say that a new attacker is no longer a “top priority” in the wake of that discovery.
Leeds have been linked with AC Milan star Santiago Gimenez of late, but are unlikely to be able to spend the £25-£30million that will be required to secure his signature.
Instead, a short-term loan deal for a striker is the most likely option, with cash relatively tight at Elland Road ahead of the window.
Daniel Farke’s formation switch to alter striker need
Dominic Calvert-Lewin has hit form for Leeds of late after a slow start to the season.
The ex-Everton man has now found the back of the net in four consecutive games, and he will be hoping to stretch that impressive recent run even further against Crystal Palace this weekend.
Farke’s men have suddenly found themselves on a three-match unbeaten run, which began with a 3-1 victory over Chelsea on 3 December.
The German switched to a 3-5-2 formation for that clash, with Nmecha starting alongside Calvert-Lewin at the top of the pitch.
It delivered excellent results for Leeds that night, and the West Yorkshire outfit have since stuck with that system in their subsequent draws with Liverpool and Brentford.
Noah Okafor has been the man to play alongside Calvert-Lewin in those two stalemates, but there is no doubt that the switch in shape has helped to unlock Leeds’ attacking potential.
Leeds’ concerning lack of goalscoring depth
Nmecha has also found form for Leeds across the last month, and now has four Premier League goals so far this term.
The 27-year-old wasn’t prolific during his time in the Bundesliga with Wolfsburg, but he has proven that he is capable of contributing effectively in front of goal in the Premier League.
| Player | Goals |
| Dominic Calvert-Lewin | 5 |
| Lukas Nmecha | 4 |
| Ao Tanaka | 2 |
| Joe Rodon | 2 |
| Anton Stach | 2 |
| Noah Okafor | 2 |
He currently sits just one goal behind Calvert-Lewin’s five strikes in 2025-26, but concerningly for Farke and Co., no other player boasts a tally of over two so far.
Anton Stach and Okafor are among four players who have found the back of the net twice, but neither have been able to kick on and become a regular goalscoring threat as yet.
With that in mind, the Whites will surely still be looking to add another option to their frontline this winter, even if it ultimately has to be a cost-effective pursuit.