Why Leeds should spend £21m to sign a more prolific star than Calvert-Lewin

Leeds United are closing in on a deal to make James Trafford a club-record signing in a move worth more than £40m this week.

The Manchester City goalkeeper is expected to replace Karl Darlow as Daniel Farke’s No.1 next season in the Premier League, after the Welshman’s contract expired earlier this month.

After the England international officially completed his move to Elland Road, the 49ers could focus on adding more quality to their ranks at the other end of the pitch.

The Whites may look to strengthen their squad in another way in the forward area to give Dominic Calvert-Lewin more competition in his position.

Why Leeds need Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s competition

Farke needs more competition from the England international because Lukas Nmecha hasn’t done enough to suggest he can start a run in the Premier League and be successful.

The German striker has provided high quality off the bench in the tuimes, scoring six goals in total, but conceding four non-penalty goals in 31 games in the top flight last term.

Calvert-Lewin has been very effective for the West Yorkshire outfit in the number nine role, scoring another seven non-penalty goals and winning another 3.1 duels per game in the Premier League.

The former Everton striker will not be challenged by Nmecha for his place in the team, based on the way they played last season, but both have done poorly as they have just finished.

Their lack of performance in front of goal suggests that it should be considered whether it is possible to bring in another striker who could provide more quality in the final third, to make the most of the opportunities that the team is creating.

How Leeds can sign the Calvert-Lewin development

Now, the club are already eyeing a player who could land at Elland Road as a rival to Calvert-Lewin who they need in their squad next term.

Yorkshire Evening Post reporter Graham Smyth has revealed that Leeds United have identified Levante number nine Carlos Espi as a new target for the summer transfer window.

The journalist says that the Spanish striker is one of the players on the team’s list, but they have not entered into negotiations or made a request to secure his services.

Continental reports recently revealed that the 21-year-old striker has a €25 million (£21m) release clause in his contract with the Spanish club, indicating the kind of money the Whites have to pay him.

The 49ers should seriously consider pursuing a deal for the Spanish star after completing the Trafford deal, as he could be the perfect player to step in and challenge Calvert-Lewin for his position.

Espi’s form in Levante’s 2025/26 campaign in LaLiga suggests he has the quality and ability to surpass even the Englishman at Elland Road.

The Spain U20 international was very healthy at league level last season with a return of 11 goals from just 7.58 xG, while Calvert-Lewin underperformed against his xG with almost two goals.

Espi needed fewer minutes and less chances to get Levante in LaLiga than Leeds needed the Englishman in the Premier League.

What makes the Spaniard’s goalscoring record even more impressive is that he didn’t need a single penalty to reach 11 goals, matching Calvert-Lewin’s non-penalty goal return of 1376 minutes at league level.

Espi, who scored six goals in LaLiga 2 in the 2024/25 campaign, has proven that he can bring consistent quality to one of Europe’s biggest leagues, which is why he will be an exciting addition to Farke’s squad as a contender for number nine.

At 21 years of age, he could be Calvert-Lewin’s long-term successor up front for the Whites, while he has the opportunity to replace him quickly, as he is much older than the former Everton man.

That is why the board must take steps to bring him to Elland Road in the coming weeks before the transfer window closes in September.