As far as transfer disasters go, Leeds United and Daniel Farke could be about to strike one of the least inspiring bits of business seen in a long time.
So far this summer, transfer business at Elland Road has been steady. Leeds United have signed seven new players, but none have arrived in a while now, and fans are starting to worry just when the new faces will arrive.
There’s no doubting that Leeds United need a few more players, in particular in attack. Farke’s current options in the final third of the pitch are looking very thin on the ground, especially so after Mateo Joseph sealed a loan move to RCD Mallorca in La Liga.
Strikers look like the focus at Elland Road right now and signing a couple of goal scorers could make or break Leeds United’s 2025/26 season in the Premier League. But so far, recent links to potential new strikers have been far from inspiring.
Photo by Aitor Alcalde – UEFA/UEFA via Getty ImagesMichail Antonio confirms Leeds United training ground visit
One name who has been linked with Leeds United of late is Michael Antonio. The 35-year-old attacker is a free agent after being released by West Ham at the end of last season, and it appears as though Antonio is on the lookout for a new club, with Leeds seemingly a potential option. Speaking at FourFourTwo, Antonio has confirmed that he recently visited Leeds United’s Thorp Arch training ground.
But it wasn’t to necessarily look around the facilities with regards to a move. After Antonio was spotted at Thorp Arch, Antonio has confirmed that the visit was due to business, with regards to a sports supplements company that he himself has founded. Nonetheless, Antonio tells FourFourTwo that he’s in talks with a few clubs right now, and that he’s waiting for the right offer to come along.
Antonio explained: “I’m still going to play. I’m speaking to a few clubs right now, I’m just kind of waiting for the right offer to come and move forward from there. I definitely know I’m good. I know I’m fit, just waiting for the right opportunity. I’ve had a couple of offers – I’m kind of just holding out to see if anything better comes.”
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty ImagesLeeds United striker search is going one of two ways
There’s no doubt that Leeds United need at least one striker, preferably two more, before the summer transfer window shuts on September 1st. And Farke appears to be going down one of two paths: either signing a journeyman free agent striker or spending big on someone like Artem Dovbyk.
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In the end it could be that Farke does both. But right now a move for an experienced free agent seems to be more advanced with the likes of Antonio and Dominic Calvert-Lewin being increasingly linked with a move to Elland Road.
Recent reports have revealed that Calvert-Lewin has sacked his agent amid rumours of holding talks with Leeds United, after the 28-year-old was released by Everton earlier in the summer.
Antonio, meanwhile, is no stranger to being linked with a move to West Yorkshire. Back in 2023 and then again last year, Antonio was linked with a move to Leeds United. And speaking recently, Ray Parlour urged Leeds to make a move for Antonio this summer.
Farke then is clearly a fan of the Jamaican international, who is vastly experienced in the Premier League, but boasts a patchy injury record and an inconsistent record in front of goal too.
Whilst he could be a good addition in terms of squad depth, a move for Antonio would do little to appease Leeds United fans. And there’s also still a significant chunk of money left in Leeds United’s £150 million summer transfer budget, too.
Few would be against Farke spending the bulk of that on a few more quality additions instead of signing free agents such as Antonio or Calvert-Lewin this summer.