Leeds United centre-forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin has emerged as Daniel Farke’s main man with seven goals in his last six Premier League appearances for the club.
The former England international had scored one goal and missed ten ‘big chances’ in 11 appearances for the Whites in all competitions, per Sofascore, before this sensational run of form.
Even as a free transfer, Calvert-Lewin was a risky signing for Leeds because he only scored three goals from 6.75 xG in the Premier League for Everton last season, per Sofascore, which shows that he was at a low point in his career.
The Whites backed themselves to help him get back to his best, though, and they are currently benefitting from doing exactly that, as he has already scored more than twice as many goals as he managed last term.
Leeds make contact to sign Serie A striker
Now, the West Yorkshire outfit could be about to repeat the blinder that they have played with Calvert-Lewin by signing another underperforming marksman.
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According to Messaggero, as relayed by Calcio Mercato, Leeds United are interested in a deal to sign Lazio centre-forward Valentin Castellanos in the upcoming January transfer window.
The report claims that the Whites have already made contact with the Italian side to make an enquiry about a deal for the Argentine number nine, as they ponder a swoop for his services next month.
It adds that Leeds are trying to understand what the situation is so that they can then enter negotiations over a deal for him, which shows that they are taking steps to sign the 27-year-old attacker.
Meanwhile, Tutto Mercato Web claims that Leeds and West Ham United are both interested in the striker, who could be allowed to leave for a fee of around £22m.
Why Castellanos could be a Calvert-Lewin repeat
As aforementioned, Leeds hit the jackpot with Calvert-Lewin by taking advantage of his poor form with Everton in the 2024/25 campaign to sign him on a free transfer.
A poor run of form, or a poor season, does not mean that a player is completely finished and has no chance of returning to their best, as we have all seen with the English striker this season, and the same could be true of Castellanos.
The Argentine centre-forward has only scored two goals in 12 appearances in all competitions so far this season, per Sofascore, which may not seem like a good return for a £26m-rated centre-forward at face value.
However, Castellanos scored 14 goals in all competitions for Lazio in the 2024/25 campaign, per Sofascore, and that included four goals in 11 matches in the Europa League, which shows that he can deliver goals at the top level.
Castellanos (Serie A)
24/25
25/26
Appearances
29
11
Goals
10
2
Shots on target per game
1.4
0.7
Minutes per goal
240
347
xA
2.56
0.82
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, the 27-year-old attacker has not been anywhere near as effective as a scorer or as a creator in the Serie A this season in comparison to his exploits last term.
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Just as Leeds did not sign Calvert-Lewin because he scored three goals for Everton last season, the Whites would be signing Castellanos in the hope that they can get him back to the form that he showed in the 2024/25 campaign.
That is why the Argentine striker could be a repeat of their Calvert-Lewin success, because they could pick up a quality centre-forward at a low point in his career and help him to get back to his best, leaving them with another brilliant option at the top end of the pitch.
Farke’s new 3-5-2 formation would allow him to deploy Calvert-Lewin and Castellanos in the starting line-up at the same time, potentially leaving Leeds with a prolific front two if the German head coach can get them both firing.
Leeds United battling to sign "outstanding" Scottish sensation in January
The Whites will hope to lure him to the Premier League…
BySean Markus Clifford
That is why the Whites should push hard to win the race for the Lazio striker’s signature ahead of West Ham when the January transfer window opens.