Leeds United are close to ending their three-week drought in the transfer window as they close in on their eighth summer signing, and new details have now emerged.
Leeds fans have been made to wait for the best part of three weeks, with the last signing made on July 26, in the form of goalkeeper Lucas Perri. The Brazilian’s move to Leeds came with the squad still in Germany.
Since then, Leeds have attempted to make a number of new signings in attack. But Igor Paixao decided to join Marseille over Leeds, and reports suggest Rodrigo Muniz is pushing to join Atalanta over The Whites.
With the start of the Premier League season now just four days away for Leeds, The Whites have moved to bring in Dominic Calvert-Lewin on a free. David Ornstein says a medical is imminent for Calvert-Lewin.
David Ornstein shares more details on Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Following on from his initial report on The Athletic’s website, Ornstein spoke on The Athletic’s podcast on Wednesday evening and was asked about Calvert-Lewin’s imminent move to Leeds after leaving Everton.
Ironically, Calvert-Lewin could make his debut against the side he played for, for nine years. Ornstein says Calvert-Lewin was on the agenda for many big European clubs before Leeds moved to land his signature.
“There were a lot of clubs linked with Calvert-Lewin after his contract at Everton expired at the end of last season. Clubs from the Premier League, clubs from abroad,” Ornstein reported on Calvert-Lewin’s future.
“He is on many recruitment lists, even for the very top clubs; how high is a matter of discussion. But he is a striker who has shown in his career to have a very decent level, and when he is fit, he has delivered.”
Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s numbers in the Premier League, so far
When fans think of Calvert-Lewin, they think of an injury-plagued striker. But it will come as a surprise to many that the England striker, who was part of England’s Euro 2020 squad, is still only 28 years of age.
| Season | Premier League games | Minutes | Goals | Assists | Minutes per G+A |
| 2020-21 | 33 | 2876 | 16 | 3 | 151.4 |
| 2021-22 | 17 | 1287 | 5 | 2 | 183.9 |
| 2022-23 | 17 | 1175 | 2 | 1 | 391.7 |
| 2023-24 | 32 | 2186 | 7 | 2 | 242.9 |
| 2024-25 | 26 | 1613 | 3 | 2 | 322.6 |
Yes, Calvert-Lewin has struggled with injury, but since his stunning 16-goal season under Carlo Ancelotti, the Everton icon has at worst still managed 17 league outings. The reputation is worse than the reality.
Compare that with Lukas Nmecha, Leeds’ other new signing in attack, and Calvert-Lewin has played more games. Below, is Nmecha’s numbers during his four-year stint at Wolfsburg alongside Calvert-Lewin.
| Lukas Nmecha | League Games (Minutes) | Dominic Calvert-Lewin | League Games (Minutes) |
| 2021-22 | 25 (1632) | 2021-22 | 17 (1287) |
| 2022-23 | 16 (899) | 2022-23 | 17 (1175) |
| 2023-24 | 3 (39) | 2023-24 | 32 (2186) |
| 2024-25 | 19 (455) | 2024-25 | 26 (1613) |
| Total: | 63 (3025) | Total: | 92 (6261) |
Not only has Calvert-Lewin played 29 more league games than Nmecha over the last four seasons, but he’s played more than double the minutes Nmecha managed – albeit, there are more games in England.
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