Leeds United are looking to strengthen at centre-back after Pascal Struijk’s departure to Brighton earlier this summer.
The Whites reluctantly agreed to sell the Dutch defender once it became clear he would not sign a new contract. With the club also needing to improve their PSR position before the end of June, the move became one they felt they had little choice but to make.
While there has been speculation that Daniel Farke could return to a back four next season, signing another central defender remains one of Leeds’ top priorities.
Replacing Struijk is high on the club’s list of summer objectives, and Farke is keen to have a new centre-back in place as early as possible ahead of the new campaign.
And the club may now again have a chance to sign a top defender on a free transfer amid delays in the market.
Leeds United have a golden chance to hijack a centre-back deal
The Whites have a tight budget to work with, but have several key positions to fill, including a goalkeeper, a striker, a left-footed centre-back and another midfielder.
Leeds are pushing to sign Nico Elvedi from Borussia Monchengladbach, but he is not going to be a Pascal Struijk replacement.
They have also entered the race for Sassuolo centre-back Tarik Muharemovic, who is seen as a proper defender to replace Struijk. However, Sunderland’s involvement in the deal is likely to drive up his price.
Leeds have been looking at several free-agent defenders, and Diogo Leita is one of the centre-backs who have been on their radar.
The chances of signing seemed to have passed Leeds by after it emerged that the defender is closing in on an agreement with Saudi outfit Al Diriyah.
However, according to Italian journalist Alfredo Pedulla, the deal is not done yet as the centre-back hasn’t signed a new deal.
The former Union Berlin defender, who has been on Leeds’ shortlist this summer, is delaying a move to Saudi Arabia.
Serie A side Lazio are also interested in snapping up Leite on a free transfer in the ongoing window.
Diogo Leite could be a great market opportunity for Leeds
Leeds are working with a limited budget, and signing free transfers allows them to stretch their resources to bring in more players.
Harry Wilson’s arrival on a free transfer has likely freed up more of Leeds United’s budget, giving the club greater flexibility to invest in a striker during the remainder of the summer window.
Leite has been on Leeds’ radar, and a move to the Premier League is likely to appeal to the 27-year-old centre-back rather than a stint in Saudi Arabia or Italy.
Leeds still need money on a top-class goalkeeper, a striker, and a midfielder. The possibility of signing Leite on a free transfer represents a major market opportunity for Leeds United.
