Leeds United Eye Prolific Croatian Striker: Is He Worth A January Gamble?

Leeds United Eye Prolific Croatian Striker: Is He Worth A January Gamble? Leeds United have identified Dinamo Zagreb striker Dion Beljo as a January target, according to Pete O’Rourke of Football Insider . The 24-year-old scored in Zagreb’s 2-0 Europa League win at Sunderland on 5 November, and Daniel Farke wants another forward to compete with Dominic Calvert-Lewin, with Lukas Nmecha’s long-term future at Elland Road in doubt. O’Rourke told the Transfer Insider podcast that Beljo’s 19 goals and nine assists in 20 appearances have attracted attention across Europe, so Leeds will face stiff competition. Everton, who need depth behind Thierno Barry, are the Premier League rivals he highlighted, while Newcastle, Tottenham and Brentford have also been linked. Why Leeds need another striker Leeds sit ninth with 14 points from 10 games, two behind fifth-placed Chelsea , yet they have scored only 10 league goals. Nmecha has struggled to hold down a regular place, BILD claim Köln are monitoring him, and Football Insider say Leeds would sell him if they find a replacement. What Beljo offers, and what he doesn’t At 6ft 5in and left-footed, Beljo has scored 12 league goals in eight starts for Zagreb, two of them penalties. Seventeen of his 44 shots were headers, and he wins 80.6 per cent of his aerial duels, according to FotMob. He scored 38 times in 48 games last season after joining from Augsburg in July 2025. The same data shows weaknesses. He ranks in the 21st percentile among Croatian league forwards for defensive contribution and the 29th for touches, so he contributes little off the ball. His only Bundesliga spell, at Augsburg, produced five goals in 45 appearances, and Zagreb reportedly want £17m to £22m (€20m to €25m) for a player under contract until 2030. Should Leeds United gamble on Beljo in January? SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 05: Dion Beljo of GNK Dinamo Zagreb reacts during the UEFA Europa League 2026/27 League Phase MD4 match between Sunderland AFC and GNK Dinamo at Stadium of Light on November 05, 2026 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images) Yes, but only as Nmecha’s direct replacement and only at the lower end of that price. Calvert-Lewin cannot play every game, and Beljo’s aerial numbers address the hold-up play Nmecha has struggled to provide. The drawback is duplication, because Calvert-Lewin is also a penalty-box finisher whose off-the-ball running Farke prizes, and Beljo’s defensive output sits well below that standard. Paying £22m for a striker with a modest Augsburg record would be a poor use of money for a ninth-placed side in a bidding war with Everton , whose need is more urgent. A loan with an option, or a fee near £17m, makes sense. A second target man adds cover, but it does little for a team scoring a goal a game.