Leeds United Eye Striker With 12 Bundesliga Goals: Does Daniel Farke Need Him? | OneFootball

Daniel Farke’s Leeds United are now firmly interested in Stuttgart striker Ermedin Demirovic, with the club moving into their second consecutive summer where the Bosnian’s name has cropped up at Elland Road. According to Corriere dello Sport, Leeds are described as “strongly interested” and, because of their financial capacity, sit at the front of the queue ahead of Italian rivals Lazio and Roma.

In the 2025/26 Bundesliga season, Demirovic has recorded 12 goals and three assists across 1,498 minutes, carrying his form forward from a campaign in which he finished as Stuttgart’s top scorer across all competitions with 17 goals in 2024/25. The 28-year-old joined Stuttgart from Augsburg for €23m in the summer of 2024, and his goal contributions at Augsburg were equally reliable, 23 goals and 16 assists across 66 appearances.

Leeds United hold the financial edge over Lazio

Stuttgart are reportedly demanding in the region of €35m, with Leeds potentially willing to meet that figure if Demirovic fits their attacking blueprint. Lazio are unlikely to be genuine contenders at that price, as the Italian club spent €14m on Petar Ratkov in January and have little appetite to spend €30m on another striker so soon. Roma have shown interest in Demirovic previously, but are not expected to revive that pursuit either. Stuttgart are prepared to keep Demirovic if offers only reach around €20m, meaning any move hinges entirely on the fee put forward.

Leeds United’s attacking needs make this logical

STUTTGART, GERMANY – APRIL 26: Ermedin Demirovic of VfB Stuttgart during the Bundesliga match between VfB Stuttgart and SV Werder Bremen at MHPArena on April 26, 2026 in Stuttgart, Germany. (Photo by Sona Maleterova/Getty Images)

Leeds finished 15th in the Premier League this season, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin leading their scoring charts on 12 league goals. Farke needs a striker who scores consistently at the highest level, and Demirovic fits that description. He is now in his sixth full Bundesliga campaign and has produced double-figure league goals in back-to-back seasons. Last summer, Leeds ended up signing Noah Okafor instead of Demirovic, and that deal proved to be a resounding success. Now, Farke appears intent on returning for the Stuttgart man.

There is logic in this deal, but also real risk. Demirovic has never played outside Germany, and the Premier League demands something different entirely. His numbers are strong, but they come from a system built around him in the Bundesliga. At 28, he arrives with no sell-on value and a price tag that is not small. That said, Farke’s teams are structured and disciplined, and a striker who reads space well and finishes clinically could thrive in that environment.

If Leeds United pay closer to €28–30m rather than Stuttgart’s €35m ask, this becomes a sensible piece of business. Realistically, the deal will get done. Stuttgart’s resolve tends to soften when serious Premier League money arrives, and Leeds United have both the funds and the intent. Demirovic will not be a marquee signing, but he could be a quietly effective one.