Everton Lead Chase for Ayase Ueda as Brighton and Leeds United Join Transfer Race

Ayase Ueda has taken Dutch football by storm this season. 

The 27-year-old Japanese forward became the top scorer in the Eredivisie by scoring 25 goals in 31 matches during the 2025/26 campaign. 

The player was transferred by Feyenoord from Cercle Brugge in the summer of 2023 for €8 million and remained in the shadow of Santiago Gimenez during his first years. 

According to information obtained by SportsBoom, Everton, Brighton, and Leeds United are closely monitoring the Japanese star. 

Feyenoord, on the other hand, plans to open negotiations at the €30 million to €35 million mark.

Feyenoord Stubborn Seller but Strategic Position

The Rotterdam club is in no hurry. 

The management and the head coach view Ueda as the main component of their Champions League squad. 

But the financial model of Feyenoord is well known. No player is unsellable when the right figure arrives. 

The contract of Ueda continues until 2028. This situation provides the club with absolute leverage at the bargaining table. 

Selling a player bought for €8 million for €30 million to €35 million would be 1 of the most profitable operations in club history. 

According to sources close to SportsBoom, Feyenoord will not drop below this figure.

Everton's New Weapon for Moyes

The most concrete candidate in this race is Everton. 

David Moyes is searching for a mobile and clinical profile for his forward line. 

Ueda is the counterpart of this criterion. Disciplined, hardworking and highly effective in the penalty box, he fits precisely into the football understanding of Moyes. 

According to information obtained by SportsBoom, the Everton management is preparing an offer in the region of £18 million to £20 million for Ueda. 

This figure falls below the expectations of Feyenoord. The price gap between the two clubs remains the biggest obstacle ahead of this transfer. 

But closing this distance is the primary goal for the management that wants to gift a new striker to the fans in the final season at the new Hill Dickinson Stadium. 

Brighton Perfect System Fit

The interest of Brighton rests on a different motivation. 

The profile of Ueda is highly compatible with the system of Fabian Hurzeler. The scouting department of the club reflected this harmony in their reports. 

The advancing age of Danny Welbeck and the need in the forward rotation are the primary factors directing Brighton to this transfer. 

However, the strict financial policy of Brighton in the recruitment market might clash with the demand of Feyenoord. It will not be easy for a club that avoids buying players above their market value throughout the campaign to meet the €30 million to €35 million figure.

Leeds United Japanese Connection

The interest of Leeds is fueled by a different dynamic. 

The Ao Tanaka factor plays a decisive role in this transfer. 

The presence of the Japanese player at Elland Road prepares an attractive ground for Ueda both culturally and sportingly. 

Leeds wants to remain permanent in the Premier League and aims to add an elite-level finisher to their attacking line. Ueda meets this need. But whether they can financially meet the expectations of Feyenoord remains a question mark.