Leeds United could now get a clear run at Vanja Milinkovic-Savic signing after new development

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Leeds United are locked in talks over a deal to sign Vanja Milinkovic-Savic from Serie A side Torino but face plenty of obstacles along the way, not least competition from bigger clubs.

The 28-year-old goalkeeper seems to be the goalkeeper of choice at Elland Road at the moment, along with Lyon’s Brazilian shot-stopper Lucas Perri. Adam Underwood is set to aim his sights on a goalkeeper.

That is after Leeds complete deals for Lille’s Sweden defender Gabriel Gudmundsson and a move for Sean Longstaff goes through, after reports say Newcastle have accepted a bid worth £12m for the midfielder.

Milinkovic-Savic is said to have a £19m release clause at Torino, while Napoli are also interested in luring the Serbian ace to Antonio Conte’s side. However, he would only be back-up at Napoli under Conte.

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Leeds are surely ahead of Napoli after new development

It has been reported that Napoli are unwilling to pay the £16.4m fee they are required to spend if they want to sign Milinkovic-Savic. The 6ft 8in stopper has a release clause worth £19m for foreign clubs.

However, for Serie A sides, that release clause is £2.6m less. But Conte’s men do not want to pay that amount on the Serbia star, who was once on Manchester United’s books as a teenager many years ago.

Well, Napoli could well and truly remove themselves from the race for Milinkovic-Savic if they decide to take action and sign Portugal star Rui Patricio. Football Italia say Patricio has been offered to Napoli.

Leeds have a free run at Milinkovic-Savic if Patricio gets his way

The 37-year-old veteran is without a club after representing UAE side Al Ain at the Club World Cup. A previous Wolves and Roma star, Patricio is looking for one last stint in Europe and Napoli could move.

Napoli are happy with Alex Meret between the sticks but do need cover and if Conte wants to save his transfer budget for other areas of the squad, then it makes sense to bring in a free agent like Patricio.

Landing the former Wolves man takes Napoli out of the race for Milinkovic-Savic and gives Leeds a free run at the giant, with LeedsUnited.News told he has always wanted to move to the Premier League.