Leeds target Eyong to challenge Nmecha

Leeds United are pursuing Villarreal forward Karl Etta Eyong as a potential starter to rival Lukas Nmecha.

Leeds chase Eyong to challenge Nmecha after Everton win

Leeds opened their return to the Premier League with a 1-0 win over Everton at Elland Road, with Lukas Nmecha scoring the winner on his debut after arriving on a free transfer from Wolfsburg. Joel Piroe started as the main striker but struggled for mobility and physical battles against James Tarkowski and Michael Keane, suggesting that Leeds may need a different profile up front.

The club is then linked with Karl Etta Eyong, a 21-year-old forward described as powerful and capable of starting games in the top flight. Eyong has shown early promise in La Liga with Villarreal and a notable pre-season scoring run, while carrying a clean injury record. Villarreal reportedly turned down a Swansea loan offer, and it remains to be seen whether Leeds pursues Eyong on loan or a permanent deal before the window closes. The story frames Leeds as willing to gamble on a young, durable option to add depth and competition to a front line that already includes Nmecha and Piroe.

The Everton result and theEyong link together paint a clear picture of Leeds’ transfer mindset: mix proven, affordable impact with high-upside youth. Nmecha’s early goal shows the importance of a plan where a substitute can change games, but Piroe’s night highlights a potential gap in physicality that Eyong could fill. The challenge is timing. Eyong’s recent minutes and goal tally in limited exposure suggest potential, but Premier League adaptation is not guaranteed, and a 21-year-old striker requires careful development and clear pathways to minutes. The club must balance short-term needs with long-term gains, all while managing a tight budget and the risk of overpaying for potential.

Market dynamics add pressure. Sunnier reports of interest from Leeds, Rangers, and Levante, and Villarreal’s stance on loans vs permanent deals, can drive a price that stretches wage structures if the project succeeds. The broader question for Farke is how to harmonize a front three that includes Nmecha, Eyong, and Piroe, and whether Eyong’s injury-free history translates into consistent availability in a physical league. If Leeds can secure Eyong without destabilizing wage structure, the move could become a meaningful step toward a more versatile attack.

Highlights

The coming weeks will reveal whether Leeds backs the plan with a bold, sustainable investment