The January transfer window is now less than two weeks from opening, though Leeds United are expecting a quiet one.
Leeds had a hectic summer which saw nine players come in, to replace the 18 that departed and so the same level of drama is not expected this time around.
Despite a successful window on the whole, Leeds did miss out on a number of targets, with Max Aarons, Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Matt O’Riley among those who were tried and failed to sign.
And it would now appear that one of those players could be on for big things next month, with Inter Milan lining up a move to sign O’Riley from Celtic, according to Sky Sports.
It is said that Inter could offer an initial loan deal until the end of the season, which would then also include an obligation to buy in the summer.
Leeds target O’Riley eyed up UCL finalists
Inter are not the only top-flight club now casting a keen eye on O’Riley, with Tottenham Hotspur, Brighton and Newcastle United among those having scouted him this season.
O’Riley only signed a new deal at Celtic a couple of months ago, but with them now out of Europe completely and league form having tailed off, he has admitted he is ready for the next step.
Leeds saw an offer of £10 million rejected by Celtic for the 23-year-old in the summer, but it would now take well over double that in order to agree a deal, which would also be a club record sale.
With all that in mind, you would now imagine that Leeds’ hopes of signing O’Riley are now all but over, unless they get promoted and he opts against leaving Celtic mid-season.
While it is disappointing, at the same time it is a promising sign that Leeds have been able to spot a player before many top clubs have done so.
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