Dominic Calvert-Lewin is set to sign a new contract at Leeds United, dashing Manchester United’s hopes of luring the striker to Old Trafford in January.
The England international joined The Whites on a free transfer from Everton in the summer of 2025 and has scored 20 goals in 49 appearances since arriving at Elland Road.
Man Utd target
The 29-year-old has emerged as a top transfer target for Manchester United heading towards the January transfer window with Benjamin Sesko ruled out until January at the earliest. The Slovenia international has been beset by a shin injury since May, missing the entire pre-season campaign and starting just two matches this term before the issue arose again.
On Thursday, it emerged United are exploring the market for another centre forward with Calvert-Lewin among their targets. Their recruitment team were working to establish whether a move mid-season would be possible but Leeds have responded by accelerating contract talks with their striker.
Contract talks
BBC Sport report the striker is now poised to sign a fresh deal less than 18 months into his first contract with the club which runs to 2028. Calvert-Lewin scored against United in this month’s 1-1 draw at Elland Road.
Any move to Manchester would have seen him join the small fraternity of players to have crossed the divide and join the other’s old rivals. Eric Cantona and Rio Ferdinand made the switch with local Leeds lad Alan Smith also making the move to Old Trafford in 2004.
Smith’s view
Smith has been greatly impressed with Calvert-Lewin’s progress at his boyhood club and believes his quality has never been in doubt.
‘I don’t think how good he is as a player was ever in question,’ Smith told Metro earlier this year via Haypp vape online. ‘I remember a couple of years ago, people were saying Man Utd were going to sign him. That sort of quality has never been in doubt.
‘Before his injuries, no-one was ever questioning how good he could be or how good he was, unfortunately he had a few setbacks, missed a whole chunk of games based on his body breaking down in the past.
‘I’m sure that he’ll just be getting more and more comfortable himself with what he can do, and if he can keep getting through, touch wood, without any setbacks this season, then I feel like there’s even more to come for him in seasons ahead, and hopefully that’s in Premier League playing for Leeds.’
