Leeds United manager Daniel Farke is keeping the door open for late-window reinforcements following a bruising 4-0 defeat to Arsenal. With the Monday deadline fast approaching, the club is scrambling to add firepower to a squad that has only seen one arrival this month: Facundo Buonanotte, who is still regaining match fitness after a limited spell at Chelsea.
The Search for a New Number Nine
Leeds are actively hunting for a striker to challenge Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha. While names like Jhon Duran and Wolfsburg’s Mohamed Amoura (who has 7 Bundesliga goals this season) have been discussed, the primary focus remains on Wolves forward Jorgen Strand Larsen.
The Transfer Battle for Strand Larsen
The race for the Norwegian international has become a high-stakes shootout between Leeds and Crystal Palace:
- The Price Tag: Leeds were reportedly prepared to pay £40m, which would shatter their club transfer record.
- The Competition: Crystal Palace are currently in the lead, having had a bid of £43m plus £5m in add-ons accepted on Sunday afternoon.
- The Dilemma: For Leeds to secure the player, they would likely need to match or exceed Palace’s £48m total package, a move that carries significant financial risk given the player’s current form.
Comparison: The “Rodrigo” Risk
The potential signing of Strand Larsen draws strong parallels to the club’s 2020 acquisition of Rodrigo for a then-record £26m.
| Feature | Rodrigo (2020) | Strand Larsen (Current) |
|---|---|---|
| Status | Club-Record Signing | Potential Club-Record Signing |
| Previous Form | 15 goals (2018/19) | 14 Premier League goals (2024/25) |
| Signing Form | Only 4 LaLiga goals in prior season | 1 goal in 18 appearances this season |
| Risk Factor | High fee for declining output | High |
The article notes that Strand Larsen has been notably inefficient this year, missing 11 big chances and struggling to impact games for Wolves. Signing him for £40m+ based on last year’s success mirrors the gamble Leeds took with Rodrigo—who eventually scored 28 goals in 97 games, a respectable but arguably underwhelming return for the investment.
Conclusion
Farke faces a difficult choice: overpay for a striker in a “dreadful” run of form to solve an immediate scoring crisis, or risk ending the window without the reinforcements needed to pull away from the relegation zone.
