Leeds United’s three-striker shortlist revealed including West Ham flop and more

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For Daniel Farke, signing a handful of new strikers looks like his no.1 priority at Leeds United this summer. Or at least it should be.

There’s a strong argument that if this current Leeds United side played in the Premier League in 2024/25, they would really have struggled.

Daniel Farke boasts a top Championship side but the gulf in quality between England’s top two tiers has become enormous in the last few years.

Since Leeds United’s promotion to the Premier League, Farke has set his sights on a number of quality players, with the majority of his targets boasting Premier League pedigree.

Indeed, recent reports have revealed that Farke wants to sign players with Premier League experience this summer and so expect to see some tried and tested Premier League names arrive at Elland Road this summer.

And expect the striker department to be bolstered with some quality. Farke is desperately low on strikers as it is, and next season, goals will ultimately be what keeps Leeds in the division.

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Leeds United’s three-striker shortlist includes Callum Wilson, Jamie Vardy, and Evan Ferguson

Leeds United have been linked with numerous strikers since the end of the season. But an emerging report from Daily Mail has now suggested that Farke has three main strikers he’s plotting to sign this summer.

One of those is Callum Wilson. Leeds United have been heavily linked with Wilson who is out of contract at Newcastle United this summer, with the 33-year-old boasting exactly the type of Premier League quality that Farke wants

But Newcastle United have offered Wilson a new contract to stay at the club and so there’s fresh doubt over that move. Meanwhile, fellow Premier League veteran Jamie Vardy is also being mentioned alongside a move to Elland Road.

Vardy is being linked with Leeds United ahead of his Leicester City contract expiring this summer, though Leeds United fans have mixed feelings about Vardy signing this summer.

The third striker who Daily Mail hint at is Evan Ferguson. Ferguson has just flopped with West Ham, joining on loan in January but failing to score in eight Premier League appearances for Graham Potter’s side.

Leeds United wanted to sign Ferguson in January and they’ve been keeping tabs on the Brighton prospect since then, with a summer move now looking possible for the Republic of Ireland international.

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Jamie Vardy, Evan Ferguson, and Callum Wilson’s Premier League record

There’s strong arguments for and against all of Wilson, Vardy, and Ferguson. Starting with Wilson, he’s not quite as old as Vardy and so Farke could even get a few seasons out of him, and he does boast a good record in the Premier League but is injury prone.

Vardy meanwhile may have just two seasons at one, and whether he could keep up with Premier League football for those two seasons remains to be seen. But he’s just enjoyed a strong season in the top flight with nine goals in a woeful Leicester side.

The 20-year-old Ferguson meanwhile is the one with the most potential, of course. But he might only be available on a loan. A permanent deal could be possible with Brighton surely moving on to bigger and better, but that could easily set the Whites back by £40million or more. What’s more is that Ferguson hasn’t been all that prolific for a while now.

Farke needs more than just one striker this summer and expect more than just Vardy, Wilson, and Ferguson to be on his radar this summer.