Leeds United Closing In On This Serie A Attacker: Why They Must Snap Him Up | OneFootball

If a report from the Sky in Italy is believed to be true, Leeds United have made an offer for Nikola Krstović ahead of a potential summer move. While the Lecce ace has yet to decide whether to join the newly-promoted English side, the Serie A outfit’s €25m asking fee won’t be an issue for the Whites should the centre-forward ply his trade in West Yorkshire.

The 25-year-old Montenegro international progressed through the academy ranks of Zeta back in his homeland before breaking into their senior squad at the age of 16. After 41 goals in 99 appearances in the top tier of Montenegrin football, Serbian giants Red Star Belgrade snapped him up for €300,000 in February 2019.

However, Krstović failed to settle in Serbia and eventually joined the Slovak outfit DAC 1904 around two and a half years later. There, he revived his form and secured a high-profile €3.90 million transfer to Lecce. Having been their top scorer over the past two seasons, he now has the opportunity to make an impression in the esteemed Premier League.

Leeds United spent three successive seasons in the top flight, until 2023 when they endured relegation to the Championship. Daniel Farke was appointed as the Elland Road chief, and the German, who previously grabbed two promotions with Norwich City, narrowly missed out on an immediate return following a playoff final defeat against Southampton.

LECCE, ITALY – MAY 18: Nikola Krstovic of Lecce moves to strike the ball during the Serie A match between Lecce and Torino at Stadio Via del Mare on May 18, 2025 in Lecce, Italy. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images)

Farke turned things around this season by clinching the Championship title, thus gaining an automatic Premier League promotion. But their battle for survival would be colossal, as we have seen Ipswich Town, Leicester City and Southampton, all three promoted sides, being relegated by the end of the 2024-25 campaign.

Why Leeds United Are Keen On Krstović

Although Farke has been highly successful in the second tier of English football, his dismal Premier League record is a worrying sign for the Yorkshire giants. The owners must back him this summer to defy the odds, and therefore, sanctioned Krstović’s transfer to bolster the frontline.

The Whites are highly reliant on Joel Piroe, who scored 19 goals last season en route to conquering the league crown. But they need another outright ‘number 9’ to challenge and cover the Dutch forward. Despite showing glimpses of his flair and finesse, 21-year-old Mateo Joseph needs time to flourish in the top flight.

Lukas Nmecha has been brought in on a Bosman, but the former Wolfsburg striker is only good enough as a squad player. Patrick Bamford is surplus to requirements after failing to start a league game all season due to form and fitness reasons, and his potential exit would further depict the necessity of having Krstović in Leeds’ attack.