Leeds United’s work in the transfer window now looks set to focus on the arrival of a new goalkeeper with Gabriel Gudmundsson in the country and expected to sign on.
Lille’s Swedish left-back is set to join Leeds for a fee in the region of £8.6m, and will come in as a direct replacement for Junior Firpo. The latter has left Elland Road on a free transfer to rejoin Real Betis.
Gudmundsson’s arrival will see Leeds bring in three defenders already this summer and focus is now set to switch to a new goalkeeper. Illan Meslier, Alex Cairns and Karl Darlow are all out of contract in 2026.
Meslier is expected to leave Leeds before the September 1 deadline, and The Whites should bring in a new shot-stopper which would see Darlow revert to back-up. Plenty have been linked with Leeds so far.
Vanja Milinkovic-Savic alongside his Serbia teammates at the 2022 World Cup.
Photo by ANP via Getty Images
Torino planning for life without Vanja Milinkovic-Savic
The likes of Nick Pope, Aaron Ramsdale, Sam Johnstone and plenty more have all been linked but it seems Leeds are now targeting European players, rather than those with Premier League experience.
The newest name on the radar is Torino’s 6ft 8in giant Vanja Milinkovic-Savic. Reports from Italy on Sunday night said that Leeds have made an enquiry to sign Milinkovic-Savic, who has a £19m exit clause.
Now, a report from Italian site Napolita says Torino are already looking to sign a replacement in the form of Lecce goalkeeper Wladimiro Falcone. It suggests Torino are already resigned to losing their no.1.
Vanja Milinkovic-Savic of Torino FC looks on prior to a Serie A game.
Photo by Nicolò Campo/LightRocket via Getty Images
Do Leeds face competition in pursuit of Milinkovic-Savic?
Absolutely, and it comes in the form of the Serie A champions, Napoli. Antonio Conte’s men are keen on the Torino giant, with personal terms said to have been agreed in June – but a move has fallen through.
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At least, for now. Napoli have had to sort out their own goalkeepers’ matters regarding Alex Meret, and while that is ongoing, they remain interested in the 19-time Serbia star who looks set to leave Torino.
Like Jaka Bijol, Sebastiaan Bornauw, Anton Stach and Gudmundsson, Milinkovic-Savic has entered the final 12 months of his contract. It boils down to, Champions League with Napoli or England with Leeds.