Leeds United are involved in several transfer negotiations at the moment, with Adam Underwood and his transfer team keen to bring in an influx of new signings in the next few weeks.
Gabriel Gudmundsson is the club’s fourth summer signing with Newcastle United star Sean Longstaff expected to join him. Leeds remain in talks for Hoffenheim’s Anton Stach and other possible arrivals.
Two signings are also expected at U21 level, with Louis Enohoro-Marcus and Jayden Lienou arriving at Leeds. Wales talent Lienou is set to sign from Man City for £500k, while Enohoro-Marcus is a free agent.
Focus after these deals is likely to centre around a new goalkeeper, with Leeds being linked with plenty of shot-stoppers. However, the one on top of the list at the moment seems to be Vanja Milinkovic-Savic.
Vanja Milinkovic-Savic wants Premier League move this summer
Leeds are in talks to sign Milinkovic-Savic, who has a £19m release clause for foreign clubs in his deal. Torino are already planning for life without Milinkovic-Savic, but Leeds are not alone in their pursuit.
Antonio Conte’s Napoli had agreed personal terms but their own goalkeeping issue put a move on hold, while Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce have made a player-plus-cash offer for Milinkovic-Savic, in a late bid.
Now, Graeme Bailey has told LeedsUnited.News that Milinkovic-Savic is a target for Leeds and the 6ft 8in giant has wanted to move to the Premier League for years – perhaps, helping Leeds see off any interest.
“He’s on Leeds’ list,” Bailey said, when asked about Milinkovic-Savic. “A bit more than that, you know. He has a £19m release clause, I’m told that there have been conversations with his people from Leeds’ end.
“He’s very high in the list. Very much in contention, good price. So yeah, he’s a very strong candidate from what I’m hearing. I know he’s wanted to come to the Premier League for quite a while,” Bailey continued.
Which other clubs have tried to lure Milinkovic-Savic to England?
Eagle-eyed fans will remember Milinkovic-Savic from his stunning performance against Brazil at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, when he almost single-handedly stopped Brazil from scoring before losing 2-0.
Bailey says other clubs in England have shown interest in Milinkovic-Savic in the past: “He has a lot of admirers in England, Man United were strongly linked at one point, Fulham tried to sign him.”
Whether Leeds are willing to pay what it requires to sign Milinkovic-Savic, and if Leeds can convince Torino to reduce their asking price from £19m to a lower fee, remains to be seen. But talks are ongoing.
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