The gap between Championship and Premier League football is a massive chasm right now,, and the only way for Leeds, Burnley, or the eventual playoff winners to traverse it is through effective and big spending.
It’s not impossible, but Leeds know they will have to take lessons from what they’ve seen the last two sets of promoted sides try and fail.
Leeds United interested in signing Beto from Everton
Sky Sports has claimed this week that Leeds are considering an approach to sign Everton striker Beto, currently on seven Premier League goals this season and their joint-top scorer in the league as a result.
David Moyes has managed to get a good tune out of the 27-year-old since replacing Sean Dyche earlier this season, and it’s unclear if the Toffees would be open to letting him leave.
Plenty of overhaul looms on Merseyside this summer with uncertainty in their attack, namely with Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s contract not yet renewed, meaning a quick decision on Beto is unlikely.
Russell Martin has already told Leeds why Beto move makes perfect sense
Those who have warmed to the idea of Leeds signing Beto have looked at the striker’s standout physical prowess as a reason he would be a good signing.
The 6ft4in colossus has proven to be a handful for some of the league’s best defenders, and while his return in front of goal is nothing to make a big song and dance about, his qualities away from goal could help Leeds tackle survival from instant relegation.
Southampton’s former boss Russell Martin spoke earlier in 2025 on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football, in which he addressed recruitment mistakes following their promotion. He noted that he’d have signed more athletic players if he had another go:
“I think we looked at a lot of things in the summer and we lost Jason Wilcox (director of football) towards the end of last season to Manchester United, he played a big part in bringing me in, so we were really clear on the profile of players, and we lost him.
“So there was a lot of people, myself included, who were doing a transfer window in the Premier League for the first time, and there were things we really wanted that we couldn’t quite get for various reasons, so it became difficult.
“I think recruitment definitely in the Premier League is so important, and also the athleticism is so, so important, and even if we want to play the way we wanted to play to try dominate the ball, I would prioritise definitely a touch more athleticism if we did it all over again.”
Some might scoff at the opinion of the manager quite responsible for what could be the worst Premier League season in history, but his argument is valid to the point it’s clearly true.
Beto is by no means the best technical striker Leeds could get their hands on, having signed Spain’s number nine last time they were promoted, but profiling a side to stay in the division needs robust presence all over the park, willing runners, and a lot of strength, things Beto brings in abundance.
If Beto is the sort of striker Leeds wants, they’re definitely learning from what the last six promoted teams have done wrong.
Be the first to comment