Gabriel Gudmundsson has rubbished rumours he was recently at Thorp Arch, although the Sweden international acknowledges Leeds United are a "good team".
Leeds Live reported last week that club contacts labelled claims Gudmundsson had visited Leeds' training ground false. The Whites are interested in the Lille left-back but are not close to making their third signing of this summer transfer window.
Their need for a player in his position is clear. Junior Firpo seems set to re-sign for Real Betis on a free transfer, and Sam Bryam is still due to become a free agent at the end of this month, leaving just Isaac Schmidt.
Gudmundsson is also keen to set the record straight about being in and around Wetherby. In a recent interview, the Swedish newspaper Hallandsposten put those claims to the 26-year-old.
"I can say that much that is not true," he said. "I'm on holiday and have spent my two weeks after the national team here at home. I was very clear with both Lille and my agent that I am focusing on the national team, and then I have a holiday. It is very important for me to be able to switch off completely and be able to recharge for the upcoming season."
Gudmundsson, however, does understand the conjecture around his future. "I have been at Lille for four years and have one year left on my contract, so it is entirely reasonable that there is speculation," the Swede said.
"It has gone very well for me, so it is no secret that things can happen this summer. I have ambitions to take a step, and we will see what happens."
On the current links to Leeds, the player acknowledged: "I can only say that it is a good team that plays in the Premier League, a league and a country where I also have an ambition to one day play, considering that I grew up watching that league. It's a league that I appreciate very much."
He then spoke at length about what he was looking for from his next move. "There are boxes that I like to check off," Gudmundsson explained.
"First and foremost, you should enjoy yourself; then I think you play your best football; you want to feel prioritised by a club. You also want to feel that there is a lot of competition in the league and that the club has a goal and clarity in what they want.
"That is very important, then the financial stuff comes a bit in second place. It is a lot of fun going forward regardless of what happens, so I am very excited about it."