Leeds United to battle Everton for young striker once valued at £100m

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Leeds United are a Premier League side again after completing their final game of the season against Plymouth Argyle today, meaning attentions can turn to the off-season and recruitment.

Even for a team in such scinitllating form, they had to leave it late through Manor Solomon’s goal to seal the title on goal difference over Burnley. It now means that the Whites can begin planning for life back in the top flight. 

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	LeedsLeeds	46	29	13	4	95	30	65	100
2	BurnleyBurnley	46	28	16	2	69	16	53	100
3	Sheff UtdSheffield Utd	46	28	8	10	63	36	27	90
4	SunderlandSunderland	46	21	13	12	58	44	14	76
5	CoventryCoventry	46	20	9	17	64	58	6	69
6	Bristol CityBristol City	46	17	17	12	59	55	4	68

They could have been forgiven for falling short this year after losing Archie Gray, Georginio Rutter, and Crysencio Summerville. There were no guarantees that they would be able to build a squad capable of achieving over 90 points again, but they broke the 100-point mark at Home Park.

Over the coming weeks and months, Leeds will have to make a number of major decisions regarding transfers and on other matters behind the scenes. One thing is for certain, Leeds will be signing a new striker for the Premier League this summer.

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Leeds United links to Evan Ferguson persist

With Leeds looking to make a number nine their priority, Farke and the recruitment team have to get it right, as they will need to rely on goals in the Premier League. Patrick Bamford cannot be relied upon any more at this stage in his career.

Despite finishing as the golden boot winner, Joel Piroe has been a figure of debate among the fanbase. His intensity and athleticism are sure to be concerns at top flight level. The only answer to this conundrum is that Leeds need a new striker, and there is a very ambitious move waiting in the wings.

Ben Jacobs of TEAMtalk has linked Brighton and Hove Albion’s Evan Ferguson to Leeds again, with the on loan West Ham United striker also linked to the club back in January. Ferguson, 20, has fallen down the pecking order at Brighton this season and is now temporarily with the Hammers.

Next summer will be a chance to assess his options, and Leeds are keeping tabs on his situation alongside Everton, with the Irishman emerging as a target for the Whites alongside Troy Parrott and Cameron Archer as they look to bring in a long-term replacement for Bamford.

Don Goodman explained how he was valued at £100 million not long ago, and also as ‘perfect’ for Leeds — but that is in the Championship. It’s unclear if he can cut it and fulfill his enormous potential. However, he is an intriguing option in terms of his physical profile for such a young player.

He has been linked with a move to Chelsea for £80 million but his recent form has only depreciated his value of late, which could make him more attainable for a team like Leeds. If Ferguson’s value is more like £45 million, then that is a more intriguing option.

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Is Evan Ferguson really the answer for Leeds in the Premier League?

The reality is that Leeds need an oven-ready striker next term. Piroe has been relied upon fitness-wise, but dry spells are not going to cut it in the Premier League, and he has also shown that he is a better player deeper a lot of the time in his Leeds career.

Ferguson has been more than just promising in the past but he has not kicked on at all in 2024/25 and Leeds can’t have a half baked centre-forward in the Premier League when survival is paramount to their short and long-term ambitions.

Leeds absolutely should acquire some younger players this summer, especially to develop them into assets. However, their priority should largely centre around the peak-age bracket and making signings that they know can hit the ground running instantly.