Sky Sport makes an insider revealation about Leeds United signing £30m striker
Leeds United are gearing up for a transformative summer transfer window as they prepare for their return to the Premier League, with Sky Sports revealing an audacious move for Everton’s prolific striker Beto. According to a report dated May 7, 2025, the Whites are ready to allocate up to £30m for a new striker, with the Guinea-Bissau international emerging as a prime target. However, insider speculation suggests the deal could reach £35m, a figure that would represent a significant coup for manager Daniel Farke as he aims to secure Leeds’ top-flight status.
Following their Championship triumph with 100 points, Leeds, under the stewardship of the 49ers Enterprises, are armed with a transfer budget exceeding £100m. This financial muscle reflects their ambition to avoid the fate of fellow promoted sides like Southampton, Leicester, and Ipswich, who face relegation after struggling to bridge the gap to established Premier League teams. Former BT Sport commentator Ian Darke, speaking exclusively to MOT Leeds News, emphasized the importance of signing players with proven Premier League pedigree, contrasting Leeds’ strategy with Ipswich’s £20m gambles on untested talents like Jacob Greaves and Omari Hutchinson. “Beto has done it in the Premier League,” Darke noted, highlighting the striker’s eight goals in 29 appearances for Everton this season as evidence of his potential to be a “useful signing” for Leeds, even if not a “headline-grabber.”
Beto, a 6ft 4in powerhouse, has thrived under Everton’s David Moyes, particularly in the second half of the 2024/25 season. His physicality, aerial prowess, and work rate—praised by Everton defender James Tarkowski for his relentless effort—make him an ideal fit for Farke’s system, which relies on dynamic wide players and a robust central presence. With 1,440 minutes played and eight goals, Beto’s stats underscore his ability to deliver at the elite level, a critical factor for Leeds, whose current forwards, Joel Piroe and Mateo Joseph, lack top-flight experience. Patrick Bamford’s injury concerns further necessitate a reliable No. 9, and Beto’s profile as a target man offers a tactical versatility that could elevate Leeds’ attack.
However, securing Beto’s signature won’t be straightforward. Everton, preparing for a new era at their Bramley Moore Dock stadium, face a squad overhaul with 15 players out of contract, including Dominic Calvert-Lewin. Beto, contracted until 2027, is their only senior striker with a long-term deal, making Moyes reluctant to sell unless a replacement is secured. Speculation suggests Everton’s interest in Ipswich’s Liam Delap or Brighton’s Evan Ferguson could pave the way for negotiations, but a £35m fee would likely be the minimum to tempt the Toffees, especially given their initial £25.75m investment in Beto from Udinese in 2023.
For Leeds, landing Beto would signal intent to not just survive but compete in the Premier League. His proven goal-scoring ability could be the difference between relegation and consolidation, making this potential transfer a defining moment for Farke’s project at Elland Road.
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