Manchester United are thinking about a move for Leeds striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin when the transfer window opens in January, according to reports on Friday. The 29-year-old is said to be one of several forwards on the club’s list as they look to add a striker in the middle of the season.
Nothing has been agreed, and no offer has been made. For now it is interest, not a bid. But it is a name that will get attention on both sides of the Pennines.
Why United are looking
United have found league wins hard to come by this season, and goals have been a big part of the problem. Michael Carrick wants more options up front, and the January window is the first chance to change the squad.
Calvert-Lewin would bring something different. He is good in the air and he knows the Premier League well. He has played in it for most of his career, first with Everton and now with Leeds.
A good start at Leeds
Calvert-Lewin joined Leeds on a free transfer in the summer of 2025 after leaving Everton. Many people wondered if he could stay fit and score again. So far the answer has been yes.
He has four Premier League goals in eight games this season. One of them came against United themselves. In the 1-1 draw at Elland Road on 18 October, Bryan Mbeumo put United ahead in the first half. Six minutes after the break, a Leeds corner was flicked on by Tarik Muharemovic and Calvert-Lewin finished from close range to make it 1-1.
That goal earned Leeds a point and kept United waiting for a win.
Leeds want to keep him
Any deal looks hard. Reports say Leeds are keen to hold on to their striker and could even offer him a new contract. The same reports say a move in January looks unlikely for now.
Prying a striker away from a team that needs him is never easy in the middle of a season. Leeds would want a replacement first, and they would not let him go cheaply.
Our take
It is easy to see why United like him. He is in form, and he scored against them only a few weeks ago. A striker who can win headers and hold the ball up would help a team that needs goals.
But this one feels like a long shot. Leeds have built their attack around him, and a club in their position will not want to lose him halfway through the season. If United want a new striker in January, they may need a plan B.
Should Manchester United go for Calvert-Lewin in January, or look somewhere else? Tell us in the comments.
Photos via Wikimedia Commons: Dominic Calvert-Lewin by Timmy96 (CC0), Elland Road by Arne Müseler, cropped by Blackcat (CC BY-SA 3.0 DE), Old Trafford by Joris van Rooden (CC BY-SA 4.0).
