A new striker will be high on the agenda for Leeds United this summer after winning promotion back to the Premier League – but one option is considered too expensive by The Whites.
Daniel Farke has three strikers to choose from at Leeds. Joel Piroe won the Championship golden boot in 2024-25, but his record of 19 goals is hardly breathtaking. Piroe is renowned for going missing at times.
The Dutchman has never played in the Premier League. Patrick Bamford has, but his injury record and failure to score a single goal last season does mean his future is unclear – his contract ends in 2026.
Mateo Joseph could also leave with Betis set to make a bid in the coming days, having had a £10m offer rejected in January. So, Leeds need a striker – one they can rely on to score in the Premier League.
Plenty have been linked with Leeds including current Premier League strikers Beto, Jamie Vardy and Evan Ferguson. But Leeds have made their stance known on another striker, currently playing in the Eredivisie.
Leeds respond when told how much to pay for Troy Parrott
Troy Parrott has enjoyed a wonderful season in the Netherlands after completing a permanent move to AZ Alkmaar last summer. He’s played 46 games, scoring 20 goals and laying on five assists this season.
That includes four goals and two assists in 12 Europa League matches. Leeds are considering Parrott, but a report from De Telegraaf this weekend suggests that interest in a deal may have cooled somewhat.
Alkmaar are requesting a club-record sale of £25m according to the report. Leeds have responded by informing AZ that it is simply too much to pay for the 28-time Ireland ace, and want to do a deal for less.
What Robbie Keane has said about Leeds target Troy Parrott
There is no doubt that there is a talent in Parrott. Experienced at 23 – Parrott is only five appearances short of playing 200 games at club level for Spurs, AZ, Excelsior, Ipswich, Millwall, MK Dons and Preston.
He has played in the Premier League, but only twice – though he does have 28 caps for his country. Given the Irish and Spurs connection, many have hoped he could be a new version of Leeds icon Robbie Keane.
Indeed, Keane has described him as a “clever” striker and while not the quickest, can anticipate things in and around the box. Perhaps there is a deal to be done if Leeds can convince AZ to reduce their price tag.
