Leeds United continue to scour the market for a striker that can fire them towards Premier League safety next season, and fans are excited at the prospect of a new £25m arrival.
Joel Piroe remains first choice after winning the Championship golden boot with 19 goals, but there are doubts over whether Piroe can do it in the top tier. Mateo Joseph remains a target for La Liga side Betis.
Patrick Bamford is about to enter the final year of his contract at Leeds. So, Leeds need strikers and one option has starred in Serie A – helping his side avoid relegation on the final day of the 2024-25 season.
Lecce went into the final round of games on level points with 18th-place Empoli, but a stunning 1-0 win away from home against Lazio secured survival – and striker Nikola Krstovic laid on the crucial assist.
Leeds fans discuss reports The 49ers want Nikola Krstovic
Leeds are interested in Montenegro’s Player of the Year, Krstovic. It comes after a stunning campaign in which he scored 12 Serie A goals and laid on five assists. Lecce only scored 27 Serie A goals all season.
But they obtained survival and his performances have caught the eye. Leeds are not alone in pursuit of Krstovic, with Serie A quartet Milan, Roma, Napoli and Juventus all interested in landing the forward.
It is believed a fee of £25m is required for Krstovic and Leeds fans have responded to the reports that The Whites are keen to lure him to the Premier League. Many think he would be a superb summer signing.
One fan is unconvinced that Leeds will get a chance to sign Krstovic given the quality of the sides also in the running, but he “would love him” at Leeds. Another said it would be “impressive” if Leeds pull it off.
Another compared Krstovic compared him to Al Hilal’s Aleksandar Mitrovic, saying he is a “Mitrovic-type player”. One Leeds fan said “he’s decent, watched him a few times”. Clearly, Leeds fans want Krstovic.
Another fan compared him to Edin Dzeko, with the Premier League champion currently playing for Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce while one supporter said he “would love it to happen”, if Krstovic did sign.
Leeds have been linked with another Serie A striker this summer
Krstovic is not the only Serie A centre-forward that Leeds are considering. Indeed, The Whites are also said to be eyeing Tammy Abraham – who has spent the season on loan at Milan from parent club Roma.
| Name | Club | Games | Minutes | Goals | Assists | Minutes per G+A |
| Nikola Krstovic | Lecce | 37 | 3070 | 11 | 5 | 191.9 |
| Tammy Abraham | Milan | 29 | 1178 | 3 | 5 | 147.3 |
Abraham might have a more regular goal or assist rate that Krstovic this season, but Krstovic has done it in a worse side. To score or assist 63% of a side’s league goals in an entire season is quite remarkable.
If Leeds are given the chance to get a deal done for £25m this summer, then they have to jump at the chance to land Krstovic. Certainly, he will be on the move and there will be regret if he goes elsewhere.
Receive a digest of our best Leeds content each week direct to your mailbox
