Leeds United have one week to sign some players in time for their first Premier League match of the season, with the club still in the market for several new signings.
Beren Cross says Leeds are eyeing four new additions. Replacements for Isaac Schmidt who is set to go when a new full-back is signed, a replacement for Manor Solomon, a starting striker and a new no.10.
Mateo Joseph and Joe Gelhardt were both confirmed as leaving the club on loan over the weekend, with Joseph joining La Liga side Real Mallorca while Gelhardt has returned to Hull for the 2025-26 season.
It leaves Daniel Farke with just two options up top going into the first game of the season, in the form of Lukas Nmecha and Joel Piroe. Leeds need a new striker or two going into the Premier League campaign.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty ImagesAlly McCoist and Ray Parlour urge Leeds to sign Michail Antonio
Michail Antonio has been made a free agent at West Ham, with his exit officially confirmed last week. The 35-year-old leaves The Hammers after 10 years at the club, in which he clocked up a huge 323 outings.
Photo by Christopher Lee/Getty Images for Powerleague
In that time, Antonio has gone from joining as a winger from Nottingham Forest, converted into a right-back before being made a target man. The Jamaica international’s physicality is a key trait he uses well.
But now without a club, Antonio is looking for a new home. On TalkSPORT (11/08, 7.50AM), Ray Parlour and Ally McCoist played ‘Transfer Tinder’ in which they would swipe right on a player joining a new club.
Photo by Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images
Asked if they would ‘swipe right’ on a move to Leeds for Antonio, Parlour said: “It’s a no-brainer. He’s got all the experience, he can probably help young players. 15, 20 minutes off the bench. I’m going right.”
MORE LEEDS UNITED STORIES
McCoist continued, agreeing with Parlour: “I’m swiping right as well. I saw him yesterday. He looks extremely fit, I actually think the Leeds fans would really like him. Leeds fans would really take to him.”
Why Michail Antonio could be a key addition, for one season
Leeds are lacking in options up top and the club do need to be quick to bring in a striker before Everton next Monday. But is signing a 35-year-old veteran, who is no stranger to injury, really the right move?
Antonio, of course, is fit again after a horrific car crash last season. It is unclear if that injury will have any lasting damage on the Europa Conference League winner, but his numbers suggest a deal makes sense.
Antonio’s stats in the Premier League:
Antonio is a game changer. A player that can make something happen out of nothing, running the channels and putting his body on the line. Leeds want physicality and Antonio embodies that approach.
But most importantly, this is a player with huge Premier League experience. Five of Leeds’ seven signings have never played in the Premier League, Nmecha has only played twice. Antonio adds key experience.