Credit: Imago

James Barker

Fri 10 April 2026 7:10, UK

Leeds United are reportedly monitoring Hoffenheim striker Haris Tabakovic ahead of the summer, and the Bosnian international has had a more productive season than Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

As per a report from German outlet BILD, Leeds are said to hold a “strong interest” in acquiring Tabakovic’s services this summer.

The 31-year-old is an experienced centre-forward, who is currently plying his trade out on loan with Bundesliga side Borussia Monchengladbach from parent club Hoffenheim.

A 10-cap Bosnia and Herzegovina international, he’s recently helped his national team qualify for this summer’s World Cup, after being in the team that beat Wales and Italy in the March play-offs.

Tabakovic scored Bosnia’s goal against Italy in normal time too, and that seems to have helped put him on Leeds’ summer transfer shortlist.

Haris Tabakovic and Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s stats compared

Leeds could face Tabakovic competition from Lille, with the French Ligue 1 outfit also understood to be tracking his progress ahead of the transfer window re-opening in June.

The veteran striker has a long track record for goals during his senior career, scoring 25 in 39 games for Hertha Berlin, 21 in 42 for Austria Wien and 46 in 48 for Austria Lustenau among others.

So, should he sign for Leeds this summer, he would be in direct competition with Calvert-Lewin to lead the line at Elland Road next season.

With 11 goals and two assists from 27 Bundesliga games compared to Calvert-Lewin’s 10 goals and one assist in 28 Premier League outings, Tabakovic has had the more fruitful campaign in front of goal this term.

But, what do their underlying numbers tell us about which striker may be the better option should they both be in West Yorkshire for 2026-27?

Well, as per Sofascore, Tabakovic has a better goal conversion of 20 per cent compared to Calvert-Lewin’s 17 per cent, and has only missed seven big chances as opposed to the latter’s 14 respectively.

Meanwhile, the Bosnian also betters the Englishman on dribble success (35.7 per cent to 23.1 per cent), aerial duels won (51.1 per cent to 39.6 per cent) and pass accuracy (68 per cent to 60 per cent).

Tabakovic has also spread his goals around more consistently than Calvert-Lewin, with five headers and three with either foot, whilst the Whites star has three with his head, one on his left and five on his right respectively.

However, Calvert-Lewin has a slightly better shots on target per game number of 0.9 to Tabakovic’s 0.8, has created two big chances to Tabakovic’s zero and has an expected assists of 1.00 compared to the Bosnian’s 0.74.

So, whilst there respective underlying league stats aren’t too far apart, it is Tabakovic who has largely posted the superior numbers, and does have the stronger goal contribution return from 154-fewer minutes of league action this season.

Leeds should eye more ambitious Calvert-Lewin competition

Now, as this will be the case with many potential transfer targets, much of whether Leeds can sign Tabakovic or not this summer will depend on what division they’re playing in for 2026-27.

However, if the Whites are to stay in the Premier League, then adding some further firepower up front would be a shrewd move, as Daniel Farke has found himself over-reliant on Calvert-Lewin at times this term.

With that being said, Tabakovic will be 32 by the time next season starts, and so he wouldn’t be a long-term signing, rather, one that could come in and make an instant impact for a season or two.

If that’s the route Leeds wish to go down when adding to their striker ranks, then perhaps opting with a safer and proven Premier League campaigner would be the wiser option.

But, if they are eyeing up a player with the aim of definitively upgrading on Calvert-Lewin, then Tabakovic would be a very risky acquisition, and Leeds should push the boat out further than the Bosnian if this is the plan, respectfully.