Leeds United’s Obsession With This 24-Year-Old Forward Continues: Does He Solve The Club’s Actual Problem? | OneFootball

According to a report from Mick Brown, several Premier League clubs are keeping a close watch on Troy Parrott’s situation at AZ Alkmaar, with Leeds United right at the front of the queue. The news comes from former Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown, who confirmed that top-flight scouts have tracked the 24-year-old Dublin-born forward and like what they see.

Troy Parrott Is Leeds United’s Summer Obsession

Parrott moved to AZ from Tottenham in July 2024 for about £6.7 million, a deal that now looks like a massive bargain. In the 2025-26 Eredivisie season, he has already racked up 14 goals and 3 assists in 23 games, maintaining a solid 7.32 FotMob rating. His international form is just as impressive; he bagged both goals in a 2-0 win over Portugal in November 2025 and later hit a hat-trick, including a last-minute winner against Hungary, to get Ireland into the 2026 World Cup play-offs. Even though Ireland eventually lost to Czechia, Brown’s point is correct that he is a player in this kind of form for club and country, who is bound to shine in the Premier League.

“Troy Parrott deserves a lot of praise for what he’s done with his career,” Brown told Football Insider.

“It was a brave move to leave Tottenham and the Premier League, to go to Europe and focus on developing his game and becoming a better player.

“Now he’s proving himself as a top player not just for his club but on the international stage as well, and that always attracts interest from Premier League clubs.

“Every club in the Premier League will have scouts over in the Netherlands keeping an eye on the talent there, and he’s certainly going to be on their radar.

“Leeds, for example, are in desperate need of a striker and have been keeping tabs on him.

“They want somebody to compete with Calvert-Lewin or to play alongside him.

“If there’s any indication that Parrott could be available this summer, I’d expect them to be all over it, because it looks like he’s ready for a move to the Premier League.”

Does Parrott Actually Solve Leeds United’s Real Problem?

BUDAPEST, HUNGARY – NOVEMBER 16: Troy Parrott of Republic of Ireland is presented with the Player of the Match trophy following the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Hungary and Republic of Ireland at on November 16, 2025 in Budapest, Hungary. (Photo by David Balogh/Getty Images)

Leeds United definitely need a new striker this summer. Daniel Farke wants more depth to support Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha, especially after switching to a 3-5-2 setup mid-season. With Calvert-Lewin scoring only twice in his last 11 games, the search for a clinical finisher has become a priority. Parrott is an exciting prospect, as he’s a 6ft 1in physical presence, technically gifted, and clearly knows where the net is. At 24, he still has plenty of room to grow.

The big thing to watch out for, however, is the jump from the Eredivisie to the Premier League. We’ve seen plenty of high-scoring forwards from the Dutch league struggle with the sheer pace and physicality of English football. There’s also the worry about his fitness, following a knee ligament injury that kept him out from August to October. Above all, he lacks a track record in the Premier League, having only made a handful of appearances for Spurs before heading abroad.

Hence, Leeds United shouldn’t make Parrott their main priority. Patrick Agyemang of Derby County, who has already hit double figures in the Championship, feels like a much safer bet for adapting to the English game. Parrott would also be expensive, considering his long-term contract and European profile. Leeds United are still fighting to stay in the first division and can’t really afford to blow their budget on a gamble. If they do sign him, he should be a backup rather than the star man. The smarter move is to sign someone battle-tested first, then look at Parrott again once the club have more stability.