Leeds United’s attacking recruitment drive kickstarted with the arrival of Harry Wilson on a four-year deal earlier this month. Elland Road chiefs waited 10 months for their man but eventually got him on a free, and off the back of a 10-goal-seven-assist Premier League campaign at Fulham.
Wilson won’t be the only attacker through the door this summer, with Leeds keen to add difference-making quality to Daniel Farke’s competitive and defensively-solid squad. Competition for Dominic Calvert-Lewin is wanted - as evidenced by their January pursuit of Jorgen Strand Larsen - while special opportunities to strengthen in any position won’t be passed up.
There will need to be an exit or two, some more difficult than others for the fanbase, but Leeds hope that by the time they head to Nottingham Forest on August 22, they will do so with serious attacking firepower. Below, the YEP looks at how that forward unit could look after a dream summer.
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1. KEEP: Dominic Calvert-Lewin
An absolute no-brainer. Calvert-Lewin proved an incredible piece of business on a free last summer, scoring 14 goals. Should only benefit from a full pre-season this time round too, although competition is needed. | Getty Images
2. KEEP: Lukas Nmecha
Another effective free transfer with six Premier League goals last season - many of them crucial. Nmecha did struggle with some of the hold-up play demands but as a potential third-choice option he's certainly worth keeping on. | Getty Images
3. LOAN/SOLD: Joel Piroe
Didn't start a Premier League game after August and failed to score, with Leeds' move to physicality not benefitting him at all. Joined West Ham on loan and could fetch north of £10m if a permanent obligation is triggered. | Getty Images
4. LOAN: Harry Gray
The 17-year-old impressed on loan at Rotherham and will spend this season at Sheffield Wednesday. Hope is he can keep playing regularly and continue bagging goals. | Getty Images
5. KEEP: Mateo Joseph
The striker's Mallorca loan was cut short with a cruel ACL injury, with a long period of rehab already underway. That will continue with Leeds, although maybe a January move could happen if he's fit. | Getty Images
6. Levante's Spanish forward #19 Carlos Espi Escrihuela celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Spanish league football match between Real Betis and Levante UD at Benito Villamarin Stadium in Seville on May 23, 2026. (Photo by CRISTINA QUICLER / AFP via Getty Images)
Carlos Espi is a placeholder here, given he was the only credible link so far this summer before joining Real Madrid, but Leeds need to get a top-end striker who can provide proper competition for Calvert-Lewin. They were ready to commit close to £40m in January and will probably need to do similar. As of yet, there have been no other links with nothing in reports surrounding Liam Delap. | AFP via Getty Images