{"id":50753,"date":"2026-07-28T14:34:12","date_gmt":"2026-07-28T18:34:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/07\/28\/why-leeds-need-to-spend-21m-to-sign-a-more-prolific-star-than-calvert-lewin\/"},"modified":"2026-07-28T14:34:12","modified_gmt":"2026-07-28T18:34:12","slug":"why-leeds-need-to-spend-21m-to-sign-a-more-prolific-star-than-calvert-lewin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/07\/28\/why-leeds-need-to-spend-21m-to-sign-a-more-prolific-star-than-calvert-lewin\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Leeds need to spend \u00a321m to sign a more prolific star than Calvert-Lewin"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_74 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/07\/28\/why-leeds-need-to-spend-21m-to-sign-a-more-prolific-star-than-calvert-lewin\/#Why_Leeds_need_to_compete_for_Dominic_Calvert-Lewin\" >Why Leeds need to compete for Dominic Calvert-Lewin<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/07\/28\/why-leeds-need-to-spend-21m-to-sign-a-more-prolific-star-than-calvert-lewin\/#How_Leeds_could_sign_Calvert_and_Lewin_upgrades\" >How Leeds could sign Calvert and Lewin upgrades<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/07\/28\/why-leeds-need-to-spend-21m-to-sign-a-more-prolific-star-than-calvert-lewin\/#How_can_Leeds_sign_a_better_central_midfielder_than_Shay_Charles\" >How can Leeds sign a better central midfielder than Shay Charles?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<div>\n<p>Leeds United this week closed in on a club-record deal with James Trafford, with the deal expected to be worth more than \u00a340m.<\/p>\n<p>    <!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><\/p>\n<p>The Manchester City goalkeeper is expected to replace Karl Darlow as Daniel Farke&#8217;s number one for the upcoming Premier League season, as the Welshman&#8217;s contract expires earlier this month.<\/p>\n<p>The 49ers may turn their attention to improving quality at the top end of the pitch after the England international officially completes his move to Elland Road.<\/p>\n<p>The Whites could look to strengthen their squad with another option at centre-forward to give Dominic Calvert-Lewin more space.<\/p>\n<p>    <!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"why-leeds-need-competition-for-dominic-calvert-lewin\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_Leeds_need_to_compete_for_Dominic_Calvert-Lewin\"><\/span>\n                        <strong>Why Leeds need to compete for Dominic Calvert-Lewin<\/strong><br \/>\n               <span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Farke will need more competition as an England international, as Lucas Nmeka hasn&#8217;t performed well enough to suggest he can start and be effective in the Premier League.<\/p>\n<p>The German striker came off the bench against Tuimes and scored six goals in total, but he only scored four non-penalty goals in 31 appearances in the top flight last season.<\/p>\n<div class=\"table-container\">\n<table border=\"1\" cellpadding=\"1\" cellspacing=\"1\" style=\"\" align=\"\" summary=\"\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th scope=\"col\" style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>25\/26PL<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<th scope=\"col\" style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>completion<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<th scope=\"col\" style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>Calvert Lewin<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>Appearance<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>31<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>35<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>xG<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>7.23<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>15.81<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>the goal<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>6<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>14<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>non-penalty goal<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>4<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>11<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>assist<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>1<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>1<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>Duels won per match<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>2.2<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>5.3<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n<p>Calvert-Lewin was more effective in the number nine role for the West Yorkshire side, scoring seven more non-penalty goals in the Premier League and winning over 3.1 duels per game.<\/p>\n<p>The former Everton strikers are unlikely to challenge Nmeka for a place in the squad given their respective performances last season, although both underperformed as finishers.<\/p>\n<p>The poor performance in front of goal suggests that it is worth considering the possibility of bringing in another centre-forward who can contribute as a more quality finisher in the final third, in order to make the most of the chances the team creates.<\/p>\n<p>    <!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"how-leeds-could-sign-a-calvert-lewin-upgrade\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Leeds_could_sign_Calvert_and_Lewin_upgrades\"><\/span>\n                        <strong>How Leeds could sign Calvert and Lewin upgrades<\/strong><br \/>\n               <span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Currently, the club are already considering players who could arrive at Elland Road as a challenger to Calvert-Lewin, who they need in their squad next term.<\/p>\n<p>Yorkshire Evening Post reporter Graham Smith has revealed that Leeds United have identified Levante&#8217;s No. 9 Carlos Espi as their new target in the summer transfer window.<\/p>\n<p>The journalist claims that the Spanish centre-forward is one of a number of players on the club&#8217;s shortlist, but that the club have not yet entered into negotiations or made a bid for his signature.<\/p>\n<p>Reports on the Continent recently revealed that the 21-year-old attacker has a \u20ac25m (\u00a321m) release clause in his contract with the Spanish side, indicating the amount Los Blancos will have to pay him.<\/p>\n<p>The 49ers should seriously consider signing the Spanish star after completing the deal with Trafford. That&#8217;s because he could be the perfect signing to challenge for Calvert-Lewin&#8217;s position.<\/p>\n<p>Espi&#8217;s form in the 2025\/26 season with Levante in La Liga suggests he has the qualities and potential to be even more prolific than the English marksman at Elland Road.<\/p>\n<div class=\"table-container\">\n<table border=\"1\" cellpadding=\"1\" cellspacing=\"1\" style=\"\" align=\"\" summary=\"\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th scope=\"col\" style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>25\/26 season<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<th scope=\"col\" style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>Espi (Liga)<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<th scope=\"col\" style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>Calvert-Lewin (PL)<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>Appearance<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>twenty five<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>35<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>xG<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>7.58<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>15.81<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>the goal<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>11<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>14<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>xG differential<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>+3.42<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>-1.81<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>time per goal<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>one two three<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>195<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>missed a big opportunity<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>10<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>20<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>Duel success rate<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>48%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>39%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n<p>The Spain U20 international was far more clinical at league level last season, returning 11 goals from just 7.58 xG, while Calvert-Lewin underperformed by almost two goals against xG.<\/p>\n<p>It took Espy fewer minutes and quality chances to find the back of the net for Levante in La Liga than the Englishman needed for Leeds in the Premier League.<\/p>\n<p>What makes the Spaniard&#8217;s goalscoring record even more impressive is that he didn&#8217;t need a single penalty to reach his 11 goals. This coincides with Calvert-Lewin&#8217;s non-penalty goal return time at league level being 1376 minutes shorter.<\/p>\n<p>Scoring six goals in Liga 2 in 2024\/25, Espi would be a very exciting addition to Farke&#8217;s team as a challenger for the No. 9 role, having shown that he can provide consistent quality in one of Europe&#8217;s major leagues.<\/p>\n<p>While the 21-year-old could be Calvert-Lewin&#8217;s long-term successor in the Whites&#8217; front line, he could also replace him in the short term as he is even more prolific than the former Everton man.<\/p>\n<p>That&#8217;s why the board should move to bring him to Elland Road in the coming weeks, before the transfer window closes in September.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"display-card  article article-card small  no-badge  active-content                              \" data-include-community-rating=\"false\" id=\"leeds-can-sign-better-midfielder-than-shea-charles-titraoui\" data-nosnippet=\"\">\n<p>                        <\/p>\n<p>                    <span data-field=\"label\" class=\"article-card-label\"><label>related<\/label><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"w-display-card-content regular article-block\">\n<h5 class=\"display-card-title \"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_can_Leeds_sign_a_better_central_midfielder_than_Shay_Charles\"><\/span>\n<p>\t\t\tHow can Leeds sign a better central midfielder than Shay Charles?<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h5>\n<p class=\"display-card-excerpt\">Leeds United are interested in signing a midfielder who can contribute even more to the team than Shay Charles.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Leeds United this week closed in on a club-record deal with James Trafford, with the deal expected to be worth more than \u00a340m. The Manchester City goalkeeper is expected to replace Karl Darlow as Daniel Farke&#8217;s number one for the upcoming Premier League season, as the Welshman&#8217;s contract expires earlier this month. The 49ers may [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":50754,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[8111,5543,40,87,2673,43,6881,86],"class_list":["post-50753","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-football","tag-21m","tag-calvertlewin","tag-football","tag-leeds","tag-prolific","tag-sign","tag-spend","tag-star"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50753","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=50753"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50753\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/50754"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=50753"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=50753"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=50753"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}