Leeds United’s pursuit of a new striker has been far from plain sailing, and with just over a fortnight to go until the opener against Everton at Elland Road, Leeds are no closer to a new signing.
With Mateo Joseph no longer interested in playing for Leeds and Patrick Bamford told he is not in Daniel Farke’s plans, Leeds are left with two senior strikers going in the form of Joel Piroe and Lukas Nmecha.
Piroe has been on fire during pre-season, scoring four goals in four games. Piroe even won the bleep test at the start of pre-season, managing to keep up with serial winner Sam Byram during the fitness sessions.
Rodrigo Muniz continues to be linked with Leeds, but Newcastle have opened talks for the Brazilian in the last few days with Alexander Isak set to leave. But another option could now be available for a smaller fee.
European club’s director of football reduces £35m price tag
It emerged last week that Leeds had held talks with Roma over a potential move for Artem Dovbyk. The Ukraine striker scored 17 goals for Roma last season, but Evan Ferguson has quickly overtaken the ace.
La Liga’s leading goalscorer with 24 while with Girona, Dovbyk looks as though he is on the move again. It was said in the initial reports that Roma wanted a £35m fee, similar to the fee Roma paid Girona in 2024.
Frederic Massara, Roma’s sporting director, is holding out for a £35m fee and wants an auction in the hope bidding reaches that figure. But he is realistic, and is understanding Roma may have to accept less.
According to Italian outlet Il Messaggero, Roma are willing to accept offers of just £22m for Dovbyk in the coming weeks. It is clear they want rid of Dovbyk and are now set to let him go for a much smaller fee.
Artem Dovbyk or Rodrigo Muniz? The numbers compared…
Muniz is rated at a whopping £40m and that’s what comes with Premier League games and goals. The Brazilian has been excellent with The Cottagers, but could Leeds sort out the position for a smaller fee?
Dovbyk’s form over the past two seasons has been incredible. Instantly adapting to Spain to score 24 goals, followed by instantly adapting to Italy to score another 17, despite not always starting games.
| Name | Clubs | Games | Minutes | Goals | Assists | Minutes per G+A |
| Artem Dovbyk | Roma Girona Midtjylland Dnipro Dnipro-1 Sonderjyske | 252 | 15409 | 118 | 29 | 104.8 |
| Rodrigo Muniz | Fulham Middlesbrough Flamengo Coritiba | 152 | 6524 | 39 | 4 | 151.7 |
Muniz has Premier League experience but Dovbyk has shown he can adapt, and if Leeds can make a saving of £10m or more between the two, then surely there is only one potential signing they make.
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