(Credit: Imago/Hasan Karim, Breaking Media)
Wed 25 June 2025 8:00, UK
Leeds United’s pursuit of a proven Premier League striker could leave Patrick Bamford’s Elland Road career at a crossroads.
Jaka Bijol’s £15million arrival from Udinese on Monday finally saw Leeds flex their financial muscles in the summer transfer market, as they prepare to return to the top-flight following their Championship title win.
Daniel Farke‘s side collected 100 points and scored 95 goals last season, but reinforcements are needed in several of positions this summer for Leeds to stand a chance of staving off Premier League relegation.
Bijol could be the first of up to 10 new signings at Elland Road this summer as 49ers Enterprises provide Farke with a budget north of £100million, and Bamford is one of several players who could be forced out.
Leeds want to sign Fulham’s Rodrigo Muniz this summer (Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media)Bamford ready to hit the ground running for Leeds next season
Farke has already added to his options up front this summer after Lukas Nmecha moved to Leeds from Wolfsburg on a free transfer, and further signings will only push Bamford further down the pecking order.
Rodrigo Muniz is Leeds’ number one target to supplement Joel Piroe‘s goals up front, but neither Fulham nor the Brazilian himself have shown any desire to sanction a transfer despite Leeds’ £32million offer.
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Bamford is behind Piroe, Mateo Joseph, and arguably Nmecha based on last season’s performances, but the 31-year-old is already up and running as he prepares to make an impact in pre-season next month.
The once-capped England striker posted on his Instagram story (24 June) laid on a running track after a lengthy session, and Bamford captioned the photo with: “Session complete”.
(Credit: @patrick_bamford on Instagram)Leeds striker links point to inevitable exit for Bamford
Football Insider Verdict
Although Joseph’s future is also up in the air at Elland Road amid interest from Real Betis, Leeds will likely prioritise moving Bamford on instead given their long-time number nine’s sizeable wage pack.
Neither Bamford nor Joseph are being actively pushed towards the exit door in West Yorkshire, but Farke has made clear that he wants to sign another centre-forward to play ahead of the pair next season.
Leeds’ most pressing areas in need of reinforcements are in goal and up front, and with Illan Meslier seemingly on his way to Fenerbahce, Bamford may need to follow a similar path to avoid being stuck on the Elland Road bench.
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