Leeds have reportedly delved into the striker market as the winter transfer window is poised to open on January 1st. While current strikers Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha have been impressive for Daniel Farke’s side this season with five and four Premier League goals respectively, their injury records have raised concerns. Leeds could find themselves in a predicament if the 49ers fail to secure another striker in the upcoming transfer window.
Recent reports suggest that Leeds have initiated negotiations with Manchester United regarding a potential deal for Joshua Zirkzee. The Dutch striker has only made a handful of Premier League starts this season, but Leeds see potential in him and believe that he could be the missing piece in their attacking lineup. This news has been corroborated by sources such as Il Messaggero in Italy and TEAMtalk.
Zirkzee’s talent has not gone unnoticed, as he was once touted as “better than Haaland at everything.” Prior to his move to Old Trafford in July 2024 for a hefty fee of £36.5m, the Netherlands international was a highly sought-after player at Bologna. Suleyman Ozturk of Dutch news outlet Voetbal International even claimed that Zirkzee possessed superior attributes to Haaland in multiple aspects of the game.
While Zirkzee has yet to live up to the lofty expectations placed on him, including being compared to Ibrahimovic, many players who have departed Old Trafford, like Scott McTominay and Antony, have thrived in different environments. This has led to speculation that Zirkzee may have struggled due to the challenging atmosphere at Manchester United.
Despite his slow start in English football, Zirkzee, at just 24 years old, still has time on his side to fulfill his potential. Scouts and talent spotters, such as Damien Hertog who likened Zirkzee to Ibrahimovic, believe that the striker has the qualities to reach the pinnacle of the game. Hertog emphasized the importance of mentality in Zirkzee’s development, suggesting that with perseverance and determination, he could achieve great heights.
If Leeds can finalize a deal for Zirkzee and help him channel his energy and focus, it could be a transformative signing for the club. The prospect of unlocking Zirkzee’s full potential and seeing him flourish on the pitch is undoubtedly an exciting proposition for Leeds United and their supporters.
