Calvert-Lewin upgrade: Leeds have been “offered” chance to sign “machine”
After scoring one goal and missing ten ‘big chances’, per Sofascore, in his first 12 appearances for Leeds United, Dominic Calvert-Lewin has finally found his feet at Elland Road.
The former England international has scored in successive games, against Manchester City and Chelsea, to take his tally to three goals in the Premier League.
Calvert-Lewin joined the Whites on a free transfer from Everton in the summer transfer window, and had looked to be a poor signing after his dismal start to the campaign in front of goal.
Daniel Farke will now be hoping that these two quickfire goals from the striker are not a flash in the pan and are a sign of things to come from the experienced forward.
Leeds offered the chance to sign Serie A striker
Despite Calvert-Lewin’s upturn in form in the Premier League in recent days, the Whites have been linked with a possible move for a player in his position in the January transfer window.
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According to journalist Graeme Bailey, Leeds United have been “offered” the chance to sign AC Milan centre-forward to bolster their options in the final third.
The accompanying report from TEAMtalk adds that Sunderland, Fulham, and West Ham United have also been contacted by intermediaries, who are looking to secure a January move for the striker.
It reveals that Milan are open to approaches for the Mexico international, almost a year on from his move to Italy from Feyenoord, but it remains to be seen how much they would demand for his services.
TEAMtalk also does not outline whether or not Leeds are willing to take up the offer to pursue a deal to sign the Mexican marksman, who could come in as an upgrade on Calvert-Lewin.
Why Leeds should sign Santiago Gimenez
The Whites should push to bring Gimenez to Elland Road when the January transfer window opens for business because he could add more quality to the manager’s options in the number nine role.
It has been a difficult year for the 24-year-old marksman since his move to Milan, with just five Serie A goals in 2025, per Sofascore, but that could make this the perfect time for Leeds to sign him.
If he were still at Feyenoord and scoring over 20 goals a season in the Netherlands, Gimenez would be unattainable for Farke’s side. That is why his disappointing form for Milan should be viewed as an opportunity for Leeds, rather than something that should put them off a move for him.
Based on his form for Feyenoord in the previous three seasons, the Mexico international has the potential to arrive at Elland Road as a big upgrade on Calvert-Lewin, whose goal return is nowhere near as impressive as the Milan flop’s.
25/26
1
3
24/25
22
3
23/24
26
8
22/23
23
2
21/22
9
5
As you can see in the table above, Gimenez scored 22 goals or more in each of his last three full seasons, whilst the English striker has not hit double figures for goals since the start of the 2021/22 campaign, which suggests that the former could offer significant more in front of goal.
The Milan forward, who was hailed as a “machine” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has a particularly impressive record in European games, with six goals in 11 Europa League outings and eight goals in 11 Champions League appearances, per Transfermarkt.
Gimenez, as illustrated in the first goal in the clip above, is a penalty box striker who has the strength and composure to hold off physical defenders to get his shot away, which suggests that the physicality of the Premier League would not be an issue for him.
The Mexican number nine won 57% of his aerial duels in the Eredivisie last season, per Sofascore, whilst Calvert-Lewin has won 41% of his aerial contests in the Premier League this term for Leeds.
This suggests that he has the potential to be an excellent option for the Whites as both a goalscorer and as a physical presence up front, if he can get back to the form that he displayed at Feyenoord, which would make him a big upgrade on Calvert-Lewin.
Gimenez, who scored 22 goals from 15.77 xG last season (Sofascore), is at a low point in his career, with one goal this season, but that is why this could be such a shrewd deal for Leeds.
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The 49ers and Farke could gamble on the striker and hope that this has just been a blip in what has otherwise been a prolific career, which would see him arrive at Elland Road in January and get back to his best as an upgrade on Calvert-Lewin.