Leeds United know that they need to add more quality to their ranks at the top end of the pitch before the summer transfer window officially slams shut.
Speaking after the 1-1 draw with AC Milan at Elland Road in the final friendly of pre-season, Daniel Farke confirmed that attacking signings have to be made for the upcoming season.
In the summer transfer window so far, a move for Lukas Nmecha on a free transfer from Wolfsburg is the only signing Leeds have made in an attempt to bolster their attack.
The rest of their signings have either been goalkeepers, defenders, or defensive midfielders, as the emphasis early on in the window was clearly on improving the backline.
Leeds have already sent Mateo Joseph out on loan to Mallorca, and Farke has revealed that he has told Bamford that the former England international is not in his plans for the upcoming campaign.
The latter is still in the building, as it stands, but he will not be a part of the squad, which is why the Whites need to source a replacement for him.
Why Leeds need to replace Patrick Bamford
The left-footed marksman is the only number nine option at the club who has made a single start in the Premier League in their career heading into next season.
Nmecha played just 14 minutes in the division for Manchester City as a youngster and Joel Piroe has never played in the Premier League, or any top five European league, before.
This means that Farke does not have any Premier League experience in his striker ranks, assuming that Bamford moves on before the end of the window after being told that he will not be a part of the plans at Elland Road.
The English frontman has played 102 matches in the Premier League in his career and could have provided valuable experience to the group if he were good enough to be involved.
24/25 (Championship)
17
0
2.11
0
23/24 (Championship)
33
15
9.52
8
22/23 (Premier League)
28
18
8.61
4
21/22 (Premier League)
9
7
N/A
2
20/21 (Premier League)
38
37
N/A
17
Unfortunately, as you can see in the table above, Bamford has not done enough on the pitch in the last four seasons to justify being a key part of a top-flight squad.
Leeds, though, are now being linked with a Premier League proven number nine who could arrive at Elland Road as a big upgrade on the former Chelsea man.
Leeds have held talks with former England international
According to talkSPORT, Leeds United are one of a number of teams in the running to secure a deal for former Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
The report claims that the former England international has held talks with the Championship champions, Newcastle United, and Manchester United, as he looks for his next club.
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Calvert-Lewin is currently a free agent after his contract with Everton expired earlier this summer, and Leeds are one of the sides hoping to snap him up for nothing.
TalkSPORT adds that the 28-year-old marksman has sacked his agent and represented himself in talks with the Whites and the other two teams in order to seal a move to a new club.
However, the outlet reveals that the English forward is ‘unlikely’ to sign for a new team before next weekend, when the Premier League starts, so a decision on his future is not imminent.
Why Leeds should sign Dominic Calvert-Lewin
If Leeds want to sign a ‘replacement’ for Bamford, Calvert-Lewin could be the perfect signing to bolster Farke’s options in the number nine position.
He is available on a free transfer, has plenty of Premier League experience, played regularly in the division last season, and has showcased his quality in the past.
It is fair to say that the 2024/25 campaign was not his best, with just three goals in 26 games in the Premier League, yet he still managed more goals than Bamford did in the second tier (zero).
The former Everton star, who was once dubbed a “monster” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has had successful goalscoring seasons in the top-flight in the past, though.
24/25
26
3
23/24
32
7
22/23
17
2
21/22
17
5
20/21
33
16
19/20
36
13
18/19
35
6
17/18
32
4
16/17
11
1
As you can see in the table above, Calvert-Lewin scored an eye-catching 29 goals in the 2019/20 and 2020/21 seasons combined, whilst he also managed a respectable tally of seven in the 2023/24 campaign.
These statistics show that he has plenty of experience in the Premier League and can chip in with goals, even if he is not as prolific now as he once was.
Even without goals, Calvert-Lewin also offers a physical presence up front, having averaged 3.3 aerial duels won per game at a success rate of 51% in the top-flight last term, which shows that he can more than hold his own against towering centre-backs.
Bamford won 1.3 aerial duels per game at a success rate of 46% in his last Premier League season, and only won 0.5 per match in the Championship in the 2024/25 campaign.
This suggests that the free agent marksman could offer more to the team in and out of possession, as he can help to alleviate pressure by winning flick-ons and knock-downs, making it difficult for opposition defenders.
He is a handful of a centre-forward, even without his goals, and that is a big reason why he would come in as an upgrade on Bamford, who offers very little when not at his best in front of goal.
Therefore, Calvert-Lewin would be an ideal signing to replace the Premier League experience that they have lost with Farke’s Bamford decision, whilst also improving their team in the process.
