Leeds United told how much to pay for Nikola Krstovic, he would be the club’s second-biggest signing ever

Add as preferred source on Google

Leeds United have quickly moved on to a new striker target after having a bid rejected for Fulham’s Rodrigo Muniz, as Adam Underwood now looks to tie up a deal for Nikola Krstovic.

Reports emerged on Wednesday that Leeds have seen a £32m bid for Muniz rejected this summer. It is unclear if The Whites will go back in with an improved offer for Muniz, with Fulham requesting £50m.

The latest reports from Gianluca Di Marzio suggest Leeds are exploring other avenues. Indeed, Leeds are in advanced talks to sign Nikola Krstovic from Lecce, with Krstovic admitting he wants to leave Lecce.

Krstovic enjoyed a stellar 2024-25 season, almost single-handedly keeping Lecce in Serie A with 16 goals and assists in Italy’s top tier last season. Lecce only managed 27 Serie A goals throughout 2024-25.

• READ MORE: Frankfurt want to derail Leeds United’s £22m plans after signing Rasmus Kristensen

Lecce inform Leeds United of price tag for Nikola Krstovic

According to a report from Italian site Calcio Lecce, the top-flight side want a fee of £30m for Krstovic this summer. Little surprise, given Lecce have used Omar Marmoush’s move to Man City as a price marker.

Leeds have shown they are willing to spend that much money on a striker, but Adam Underwood would surely prefer a centre-forward that has proven he can score goals in the Premier League to lead the line.

Lukas Nmecha has joined the club, signing a two-year pre-contract which will become official on July 1. Following the signing of Nmecha, it was reported that Leeds would look to bring in a big-money striker.

Sky in Italy do say Leeds have made an offer that comes close to Lecce’s valuation with The Whites showing ‘serious’ interest in the Montenegro star. Leeds are now pushing for a second Serie A ace.

Nikola Krstovic would be Leeds’ second-biggest transfer

Leeds’ club-record transfer still stands at £35.5m, in the form of Georginio Rutter’s move to Leeds in January 2023 from Hoffenheim. Indeed, Rutter’s £40m move to Brighton is one of Leeds’ largest sales.

But Krstovic would immediately come in as the club’s second-most expensive signing ever, with the next biggest being Rodrigo’s move to Elland Road in the summer of 2020 from Valencia, costing Leeds £27m.

Below Rodrigo, duo Brenden Aaronson and Dan James cost the club £25m apiece. So, Leeds need to weigh up whether Krstovic is worth it, or do they pay more to sign Premier League-proven Muniz?