Leeds United have shifted their focus towards attacking additions ahead of the 2025/26 Premier League season.
Leeds United have brought in seven players, but only one is a forward player. Daniel Farke has since reiterated the need for attackers to join his ranks by the time they face Everton in a little under two weeks.
Earlier this month, it was reported that Leeds will now target forwards in the transfer window. Beren Cross has since named the four areas he believes Leeds will sign players before the deadline.
The club will not stop looking at the ambitious ‘reach’ signings Graham Smyth has previously explained. One of those, for much of the summer so far, has been Evann Guessand.
Photo by Stu Forster/Getty ImagesLeeds target Evann Guessand set for Aston Villa move
Leeds want to make Premier League football stick. The 49ers have the resources and infrastructure to ensure that is the reality, having seen previous regimes fail to maintain it at Elland Road before. However, strength in both boxes is paramount.
A winger with serious height and physicality could offer an alternative solution. A player who can also be versatile to operate in a number of forward roles is absolutely essential this summer. One such option is OGC Nice’s versatile attacker.
It was claimed many months ago that Tottenham and Leeds both tracked Guessand last season, following an incredible campaign with OGC Nice. The forward can play as a wide player or striker and he scored 13 goals and provided 10 assists last season.
The problem has always been the sheer volume of competition, though. Wolverhampton Wanderers also liked Guessand. It even looked as though Wolves would win the Guessand race at one stage.
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Then, Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce entered the frame for Guessand. However, the 24-year-old has ended up elsewhere in the Premier League. That’s because Aston Villa appear to have won the race.
🚨🟣🔵 Aston Villa are closing in on Evann Guessand deal with OGC Nice and player’s camp.
Negotiations for €35m fee at final stages with details being sorted between clubs.
Player said yes to #AVFC with details of his contract also being finalised. Follows @Santi_J_FM. pic.twitter.com/ChgDCVZd8J
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 5, 2025
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Fabrizio Romano has since published a pair of updates on Guessand, with a €35 million (£30.4 million) deal agreed for the forward to bolster Villa’s forward ranks.
🚨🟣🔵 Evann Guessand to Aston Villa, here we go! Verbal agreement in place after €30m plus €5m add-ons bid accepted.
OGC Nice authorized Guessand to travel for medical and contract signing as next steps. New striker for Unai Emery. pic.twitter.com/hYPZxPdKCB
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 5, 2025
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Romano then stated a verbal agreement is in place between Guessand and Villa and a medical is the next steps to take place before a deal is fully sealed.
Photo by DAX Images/NurPhoto via Getty ImagesDodi Lukebakio would be ideal for Leeds’ winger problem
Leeds fans want Dodi Lukebakio as an alternative to Igor Paixao or even Guessand following the latest reveal regarding Villa.
The 27-year-old Sevilla forward was signed to the club in Victor Orta’s first summer and Leeds should be looking at Lukebakio as a replacement for the output Manor Solomon put out last season.
Dodi Lukebakio’s recent career form
His ability to cut inside from out to in on the left is missed when he operates from the right-hand side. Willy Gnonto would benefit from a signing like Lukebakio, too.
Lukebakio would be a bigger signing than Jaka Bijol or Anton Stach. Not only does he have reliable output, but Lukebakio has the height, size, and athleticism as well.