Leeds United have several important decisions to make over the coming weeks as they continue shaping their squad for the 2026/27 season.
The club may also need to step up their search for a goalkeeper after it emerged that Manchester United are keen to sign Karl Darlow on a free transfer this summer.
At the same time, Leeds are already making progress in the transfer market and could be edging closer to a club-record signing, having reportedly reached a verbal agreement with Sporting Lisbon defender Ousmane Diomande.
However, the club are also looking at other cost-effective centre-backs as well, and the club are in the race to sign a defender from Italy in the upcoming transfer window.
Read More: Leeds close in on record signing after securing verbal agreement with Ousmane Diomande
Leeds United in the mix for Parma’s Mariano Troilo
The Whites are working on several targets as they seek to improve their squad without blowing up their budget in the upcoming window.
With Pascal Struijk likely to leave, the club are pushing to sign Diomande. However, Leeds also need another defender if they lose Sebastiaan Bornauw.
Leeds cannot afford another big-money centre-back signing if they sign the Sporting Lisbon defender, and the club are looking at other cost-effective options.
According to 351 Deportes, Leeds are among the clubs that are interested in snapping up Parma centre-back Mariano Troilo in the upcoming window.
👀 UN CENTRAL CODICIADO
⚔️ Mariano Troilo está siendo observado por cuatro clubes de la #PremierLeague y podría emigrar en este mercado.
🏴☠️ El ex central de #Belgrano es pretendido por #Fulham, #Sunderland, #LeedsUnited y #Brentford, tal como contó @SantiPonce__26 en… pic.twitter.com/4mxb95HEB3
— 351 Deportes (@351Deportes) June 10, 2026
The 22-year-old was a bit-part player at the start of last season. However, he established himself in the team in the second half of the 2025/26 campaign.
His strong performances towards the end of the season have turned heads in the Premier League, and Leeds are among the four clubs interested in him.
Sunderland, Fulham and Brentford are the three other Premier League clubs who are pushing to sign Troilo.
The interest from the Premier League works for Parma as well, who are ready to sell him if a club are prepared to offer £20m for the centre-back.
He will be a cost-effective signing if they can get him for a lesser fee
Bornauw would prefer to return to Germany to play regular football, and a few Bundesliga clubs are interested in signing the defender this summer.
Leeds need a replacement for him, but they cannot blow big money on a signing who would be replacing someone who was a squad player at best.
| 🛡️ Defensive Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| 👕 Total Appearances (Starts) | 23 (20) |
| ⏱️ Total Minutes Played | 1,805′ |
| 🧱 Clearances Logged | 79 |
| ✈️ Aerial Duels Won % | 55.0% |
| 🪓 Ground Tackles Success % | 51.0% |
| 🎯 Pass Completion (Build-up) | 89.3% |
| 🧼 Clean Sheets Contributed | 8 |
| ⚽ Goals Scored (Headers) | 1 |
| 🟨 Discipline (Yellow / Red) | 7 / 2 |
| 📈 Average WhoScored Rating | 6.65 |
A move for Troilo makes more sense if he is seen as a replacement for Bornauw, but even £20m seems a bit too high a price if he is not going to be a regular.
He would be a much more sensible signing if Leeds convinces Parma to drop their asking price to a more reasonable figure.
However, interest from other Premier League clubs means Leeds may have to meet the asking price if they want to sign Troilo.
