Leeds open talks to sign Premier League forward

One of the latest players linked with a move to Elland Road this summer illustrates the level of ambition that Leeds United have for next season.

The Whites are reportedly working on a deal to sign Borussia Dortmund attacking midfielder Julian Brandt on a free transfer when his contract with the Bundesliga side expires at the end of this month.

They are said to be one of a number of clubs interested in a deal to sign the 30-year-old talent for nothing in the summer transfer window, with a Champions League team said to be among his suitors.

It is now down to the board and head coach Daniel Farke, who worked at Dortmund before his first move to England with Norwich City, to convince Brandt to make the switch to West Yorkshire.

For now, they are in the race to secure the Germany international’s signature and it remains to be seen whether or not they will be successful in their efforts to snap him up.

Leeds United in talks to sign Premier League forward

With 57 goals and 70 assists in 307 matches for Borussia Dortmund in all competitions, Brandt would arrive at Elland Road as a high-profile addition to Farke’s squad.

However, the West Yorkshire outfit are also looking at another free agent who could join the club as an even better option than Brandt at the top end of the pitch for the German boss.

According to journalist Ben Jacobs, Leeds United are one of a number of clubs interested in a deal to sign Harry Wilson from Fulham on a free transfer in the summer transfer window.

The reporter claims that the Whites have already made contact with his camp to open initial talks to convince the Wales international to make a move to Elland Road when his contract at Craven Cottage expires at the end of this month.

Jacobs adds, though, that there is significant competition for his signature, as fellow Premier League side Aston Villa and Portuguese giants Benfica are also keen on the left-footed attacker.

As is also the case with Brandt, it is now down to Leeds to put the best offer, from a financial and footballing perspective, on the table for the forward.

Why Harry Wilson would be even better than Julian Brandt for Leeds

There is no doubt that the German playmaker would be a high-profile signing given his experience during his time with Dortmund in the Bundesliga, but Wilson may be the better player in the here and now.

As experienced as Brandt is, the Germany international has never played in the Premier League and there would still be a question mark over how he would adapt to playing in England and the physicality that comes with it.

Wilson, meanwhile, has spent his entire career in the Premier League and the Championship and has proven that he can deliver in the league that Leeds play in.

The Welsh star, who was described as “incredible” by ex-boss Marco Silva, scored three more goals and provided three more assists than Brandt at league level in the 2025/26 campaign.

Wilson scoring three more goals from an almost identical xG to the German star’s xG suggests that he would be a far more effective finisher for Leeds in the final third, by making more of the chances that his teammates create for him.

The 29-year-old attacker, whose catalogue of goals for Fulham is extraordinary, is a proven Premier League goalscorer who would come in and instantly improve Farke’s attack, as he scored even more goals than Noah Okafor and Brenden Aaronson.

In the two number ten positions behind Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Okafor scored eight goals and Aaronson scored four goals in the Premier League, as both failed to hit double figures in the top-flight.

Wilson’s form for Fulham suggests that he has the quality to offer even more to the team than the two current starters for Leeds in the number ten roles, as well as offering more than Brandt potentially could if he joins from Dortmund this summer.

That is why the Whites must push to beat the likes of Villa and Benfica to his signature as a free agent signing, as he could be a brilliant addition to Farke’s squad.