Exclusive:'It's not realistic' - Michael Owen echoes Robbie Evans sentiment with Leeds United transfer window verdict
A sentiment shared by Leeds United’s managing director has been shared by Michael Owen
Premier League legend Michael Owen has dismissed the suggestion Leeds United should have signed another forward in the summer transfer window.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin has established himself as the leading man at the top end of the pitch and has competition from Germany-capped Lukas Nmecha.
Joel Piroe, last season’s third-choice option, was loaned to West Ham United during the summer and not replaced.
Some fans were keen to see depth added in the ‘number nine’ department, but Leeds looked to strengthen elsewhere with their summer budget.
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Michael Owen echoes Robbie Evans sentiment
Post-window closure, managing director Robbie Evans claimed the list of players who would fit the required profile and be content as an understudy is “very, very small”.
The sentiment has been echoed by Owen, who has laid out the difficulty in signing a third-choice forward.
He told The Yorkshire Post: “Who's going to come as a third-choice? If you can get an even better one, then fantastic. That's always the case. It's trying to improve, but to get a back-up to two already, what level are you going to be getting? It's always ideal for people to say things like this, but it's not realistic.
“Someone said to me yesterday, what happens if [Erling] Haaland gets injured? You know, they've got no back-up.
“It's like, okay, who can they get? Who on Earth would come to Manchester City? Loads of people would come, but of a real quality to get into that team? You're never, ever going to get a game. So, no player, unless they're 33 and just have the last year or two [would go].
“We all get these grandioso ideas, but realistically, what top player is going to improve Leeds to come in as third striker? No one.”
Leeds United’s forward options
Calvert-Lewin has made a strong start to the 2026/27 season, picking up from where he left off in his maiden Leeds campaign.
Since joining on a free transfer in the summer of 2025, the 29-year-old has registered 18 goals across 45 appearances for the Whites.
Back-up forward Nmecha, meanwhile, has weighed in with seven goals in 42 outings since his move from Wolfsburg in the same window.
Michael Owen speaking to The Yorkshire Post on behalf of Casino.org, who help British players compare the best online casinos selected for UK players.