Leeds United plan shock Wolves transfer swoop – Agreement makes perfect sense
Leeds United all but relegated Wolves on Saturday afternoon with a 3-0 win, and now we could be looking to sign Ladislav Krejci.
The Whites are eight clear of the bottom three following victory over Wolves on Saturday. An emphatic first half once again proved the difference, before Dominic Calvert-Lewin made sure late on.
That result leaves Leeds on the brink of survival with five games to play, while Wolves will be relegated on Monday if West Ham avoid defeat.
Leeds United aim to pile Wolves misery on with Ladislav Krejci transfer interest
Not only are Leeds the latest side to hammer one of the final nails in the coffin for Wolves, but we could be poaching one of their best players too.
A report from the Express and Star’s Liam Keen reveals that Leeds are interested in signing Molineux centre-back Ladislav Krejci.
The Czech defender has been at the thick of action against United this season. In the away 3-1 win for Leeds, Krejci scored Wolves’ opener. And at Elland Road, nearly pulled a goal back when his header was miraculously saved by Karl Darlow, before going to ground by the might of Brenden Aaronson’s push, earning him a booking.
A left-footed defender, Krejci could aid Leeds’ lack of left-sided depth in the defence. Only Gabriel Gudmundsson and Pascal Struijk are left-footed defenders in our senior squad.
Leeds United definitely have to pursue Ladislav Krejci transfer this summer
When you look at how the 49ers conduct business, the term ‘market opportunity’ is common.
Wolves dropping down to the Championship with iffy finances means they’ll be selling players left and right. Krejci is one of the few that has looked a cut above Wolves’ current plight.
A left-sided centre-back makes perfect sense for us, with Struijk’s contract running down towards 2027. In fact, when I recently discussed the possibility of Leeds cashing in on the Dutchman, I recommended Krejci as an option.
He could be a very shrewd pickup for Leeds.
Leeds United plan shock Wolves transfer swoop – Agreement makes perfect sense
Leeds United are plotting a bold January move for Wolves striker Jørgen Strand Larsen, and the structure of the deal could make it a win-win for both clubs. Reports suggest the Whites are preparing a player-plus-cash offer to land the £40m-rated Norwegian before the deadline, with Elland Road chiefs believing they “have a chance” despite competition from 12 other clubs. f500
Why Leeds want Strand Larsen
Daniel Farke’s side are back in the Premier League and fighting to stay there. While Dominic Calvert-Lewin has rediscovered form – eight goals in his last nine appearances and December’s Premier League Player of the Month – Leeds remain “overly dependent” on him and need more depth in the attacking unit. Strand Larsen fits the profile Farke lacks: “powerful, direct, and clinical — a forward who can win duels, bully defenders, and finish chances in tight moments”.
The 25-year-old has proven Premier League pedigree. Signed by Wolves from Celta Vigo for €30m in July 2024, he’s scored 20 goals in 61 games. Even in a struggling Wolves side, he’s shown he can deliver, including a hat-trick in Wolves’ 6-1 FA Cup win over Shrewsbury. Newcastle saw his value last summer, lodging two bids that topped £55m. Wolves rejected them, holding out for £60m. Now, with Wolves “stranded at the bottom of the Premier League” and 14 points off safety, they’re open to selling. Intermediaries are “working hard on moving Strand Larsen on this month” after Wolves confirmed he could leave.
A straight £40m cash deal is tough for Leeds under Profitability and Sustainability Rules. That’s why the club is exploring a “player-plus-cash” structure. Leeds Live reports the Whites could offer Joel Piroe and Wilfried Gnonto, plus £5m cash, to seal the move. Both attackers have “struggled for regular opportunities at Leeds, and they need to move on”.
For Wolves, it’s logical. If they’re “preparing for the drop,” selling players “who are not committed to their long-term project” makes sense. Piroe brings Championship-proven goals, while Gnonto offers pace and resale value. The £5m cash injection helps too. For Leeds, landing a 25-year-old Norway international with 24 caps for less than half the quoted £40m cash fee would be “smart business”.
Graham Smyth of the _Yorkshire Evening Post_ says Leeds “must think there’s a chance… or else they wouldn’t have made an enquiry”. In the past, Leeds have managed expectations, but this time they’ve been “ready to admit they’ve made an enquiry”. That confidence matters.
Strand Larsen is attracting Tottenham, Everton, West Ham, and Newcastle. Yet Leeds have an edge: game time. At Wolves he’s “favourites to go down”. At Elland Road he’d be the focal point of a side building momentum. As _OwnGoal_ put it, this would be a “statement signing” that “sends a message to the entire league”.
There are obstacles. Wolves haven’t decided on the swap approach, and competition is fierce. But with Strand Larsen’s representatives speaking to intermediaries and Leeds already in contact, the groundwork is done.
*Verdict: It makes perfect sense*
Leeds need a physical No.9 to complement Calvert-Lewin. Wolves need assets for a likely Championship rebuild and to trim a £60m valuation they won’t get in the summer. A Piroe + Gnonto + cash package solves both problems. If Leeds pull it off before the deadline, it won’t just be a shock swoop – it’ll be the deal that defines their survival bid.