Leeds United have ramped up their efforts to improve their squad and have already signed Harry Wilson and Tarik Muharemovic this summer.
The Whites are closing in on a third summer signing in the coming days after they reached a verbal agreement over a deal to sign Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford.
Leeds have agreed to pay a club-record fee of £40m plus another £5m in add-ons for Trafford, who has already agreed personal terms on a contract with the Whites.
The Whites have shown real ambition in the market with their pursuits of Wilson, Muhareomovic, Trafford, and Julian Brandt, and they are targeting another ambitious player from Europe.
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The Whites are keen to add upgrades to their midfield this summer despite the numbers in that area of the squad, and Southampton’s Shea Charles has been a top target.
However, negotiations with Southampton have been anything but straightforward, and the club are now unwilling to improve on their third offer for the midfielder.
Leeds have other targets in mind, and according to Italian sports daily Corriere dello Sport via Tutto Mercato, Leeds are among the clubs who are interested in Inter Milan star Petar Sucic.
Leeds have made initial enquiries about signing the midfielder, who is valued at around £34 million this summer.
Sucic played a key role in Inter Milan’s Serie A-winning campaign last season, making 50 appearances across all competitions for the Nerazzurri.
He was also part of the Croatia squad at the World Cup. However, Inter have no interest in selling Sucic this summer.
Inter have slammed the door on selling him, and unless a club are prepared to offer silly money, the club will not put him on the market in the ongoing window.
Petar Sucic is not available; Leeds could still sign Shea Charles
Leeds are unlikely to offer the kind of money that would force Inter to sit at the negotiation table for Sucic. It is also unclear whether the player would give up Champions League football to join the Whites.
However, the club could still sign Shea Charles towards the end of the transfer window.
Leeds United remain unwilling to meet Southampton’s £30m asking price for Charles and are determined not to be drawn into overpaying for the midfielder this summer.
That has not ended their interest, however. The Whites are prepared to be patient, believing the situation could change as the transfer window progresses, particularly after Charles made it clear he wants to leave St Mary’s.
With only 12 months remaining on his contract, Southampton are under pressure to cash in now or risk losing him for a much lower fee in the future. If no club comes close to their valuation, there is a growing belief that they will eventually be forced to soften their stance.
Charles is understood to favour a move to Elland Road, and Leeds are hopeful that his desire to leave will strengthen their hand in negotiations as the transfer deadline approaches.
