After Rodrigo Muniz bid rejected, Leeds United are now in advanced £25m talks for another striker

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Immediately after signing Lukas Nmecha on Sunday, Leeds United emphasised that they still intend to sign another striker, with the new player likely to be a big-money starting option.

Via the Yorkshire Evening Post, Leeds confirmed that the club would still be making another addition up top alongside Nmecha. That is despite the club currently boasting four centre-forwards with Nmecha.

Then on Wednesday, reports said that Leeds had seen a £32m bid for Fulham’s Rodrigo Muniz turned down earlier this window. An initial fee of £26m, plus another £6m in add-ons for the Brazilian giant.

Leeds, then, are desperate to sign a big-name striker and perhaps The Whites could be about to turn to a player currently in Serie A. Leeds have been strongly linked with Lecce’s Nikola Krstovic this summer.

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Gianluca Di Marzio says Leeds are close to agreeing fee

According to a report from the well-regarded Sky Italy journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, Leeds are advanced in talks to sign Montenegro international Krstovic. It comes after a stellar season in Serie A with Lecce.

Krstovic had a hand in 16 goals up front for Lecce. He scored 11 and laid on five assists, as Lecce finished in 17th and survived on the final day. Remarkably, Lecce only scored 27 Serie A goals throughout 24-25.

It means Krstovic was involved in well over half of Lecce’s league goals last season. Di Marzio says Leeds are at an advanced stage in talks for Krstovic and close to agreeing a fee. Krstovic is rated around £25m.

What Krstovic and Lecce’s sporting director said about his future

While on international duty with Montenegro after keeping Lecce up almost single-handedly, Krstovic said he is “close” to leaving Lecce, rather than staying: “At the moment I am closer to leaving the club.”

Last week, Lecce’s sporting director opened up on selling Krstovic. Pantaleo Corvino said that if Krstovic wants to go, he can go, but Lecce won’t sell for the sake of it because they are in a healthy place.

So, Leeds have a decision to make. Adam Underwood may prefer to sign a striker with Premier League experience, like Muniz. But if Leeds are unwilling to improve their offer for Muniz, Krstovic makes sense.

He was excellent in Serie A last season, starring in a side that will likely mirror what Leeds are expected to do in 2025-26; fight against relegation. Dogged and hard-working, Krstovic creates magic out of nothing.