How Leeds are planning to replace Calvert-Lewin

Leeds United centre-forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin was one of the best signings made in the Premier League last year after his move from Everton.

The Toffees opted to release the England international on a free transfer and that opened the door for the Whites to swoop in to snap him up without paying a transfer fee.

He had only scored three goals from 6.75 xG across 26 appearances in the top-flight with Everton in the 2024/25 campaign, which made the club’s decision to sign him as their main striker looked risky at the time.

The experienced frontman proved any doubters wrong, though, with a return of 14 goals in 30 starts in the Premier League for Daniel Farke‘s side, almost averaging a goal every other start.

Calvert-Lewin’s goals helped to lead the West Yorkshire outfit to a 14th-placed finish in the division, avoiding an instant relegation back down to the Championship.

Leeds are in talks to sign Serie A striker

The 29-year-old marksman ended the campaign as the club’s top goalscorer and the only player in the squad who hit double figures for goals in the Premier League.

Now, the West Yorkshire outfit are looking at a move for a player who could arrive at Elland Road to seriously challenge Calvert-Lewin to his place in the starting line-up.

According to TuttoSport, via Sport Witness, Leeds United are one of the clubs in the race to sign Juventus centre-forward Lois Openda in the summer transfer window.

The report claims that the Whites are in talks with the Old Lady and have asked for as much information as possible on the attacker, as they weigh up a move to bring him over to England.

It adds that the Italian giants, who will officially complete a £40m deal to sign him from RB Leizpig this week, are open to sending him out on an initial loan, rather than a permanent deal.

TuttoSport also reveals that Leeds are currently the most likely destination for the Belgium international, who spent the 2025/26 campaign on loan at Juventus.

What Leeds’ pursuit of Lois Openda means for Dominic Calvert-Lewin

With all due respect to Lukas Nmecha, who scored six goals in 31 Premier League games, Calvert-Lewin was the unquestionable first-choice centre-forward for Farke last season.

The arrival of Openda, though, could leave the England international worried about his position in the team because the Juventus forward has the potential to be an upgrade for Leeds.

He only scored two goals in all competitions for the Italian side, but the caveat to that is that he only started six league games. His record prior to joining Juventus suggests that his struggles in the Serie A are nothing more than a blip.

Openda scored 21 or more goals in three of the previous four seasons and 13 or more goals for five seasons straight, whilst Calvert-Lewin went four years without hitting double figures for Everton.

The Belgian star, who has been described as “terrifying” by European football writer Seb Stafford-Bloor, scored 21 goals in Ligue 1 for Lens in the 2022/23 campaign and 24 goals in the Bundesliga for Leipzig the following year.

Aside from his time in Turin, the 26-year-old star has consistently shown that he can be an incredibly lethal and consistent goalscorer in multiple major European leagues, which is why he has the potential to be such an exciting signing for Leeds.

Meanwhile, Calvert-Lewin’s career statistics are slightly concerning in that the Whites may fear that he reverts back to type and struggles for goals next season after a purple patch in his first year.

If both strikers hit their ‘average’ levels across the past five seasons combined next season, Openda would be far better for Farke’s side than the English star, which is why the latter should be worried by this update.

Having both of them vying for a starting position would be great news for Leeds, though, as it would increase the competition and provide the German boss with two excellent number nine options.