Leeds United are busy trying to bring more new faces to the club with the summer window in full flow, and a goalkeeper remains a priority for those at Elland Road.
Illan Meslier is expected to leave the club, while Karl Darlow and Alex Cairns should remain, albeit as cover for whoever Adam Underwood and his transfer team manage to bring in over the next couple of months.
Leeds have been linked with many goalkeepers already, ahead of August 18’s opener against Everton at Elland Road. The likes of Nick Pope, Aaron Ramsdale, Caoimhin Kelleher and many other shot-stoppers.
Currently, it looks like a choice between two. Lyon have won their appeal against relegation and that may prove to be a spanner in the works to sign Lucas Perri, while Vanja Milinkovic-Savic remains a target.
Marco Silvestri during his time at Leeds United.
Photo by Harry Engels/Getty Images
Marco Silvestri could now play key role in Leeds United deal
Silvestri lasted three years at Elland Road before leaving, having spent a year as Rob Green’s back-up goalkeeper in his final season. Since then, he has carved out a career in Italian football with a few clubs.
Initially, Verona, before a move to Udinese where his form saw him called-up for Italy. Last summer, he joined Andrea Radrizzani’s Sampdoria in Serie B before returning to Serie A with Empoli in January.
Now, TMW share how Silvestri – now a free agent after his stint with Empoli – could help Leeds sign Milinkovic-Savic. Interestingly, Torino want to sign Verona’s Lorenzo Montipo to replace Milinkovic-Savic.
But as is the way with transfer windows, a domino effect will fall into place and Verona want to work out Montipo’s future or sign a replacement before letting him go. Verona will sign Silvestri if Montipo goes.
Vanja Milinkovic-Savic of Torino
Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images
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So, if Silvestri signs for Verona, it would allow Torino to bring in Montipo as a replacement for 6ft 8in Milinkovic-Savic and loosen Torino’s grip on the big Serbian, allowing him to move to Elland Road.
The state of play regarding Leeds’ move for Milinkovic-Savic
Leeds are yet to make an official bid for him, but reports in Italian media state that Leeds have certainly held talks for Milinkovic-Savic. Possibly, to ascertain the parameters that would see Leeds secure a deal.
Vanja Milinkovic-Savic catches the ball for Torino ahead of his brother, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.
Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images
Sky Italy’s Gianluca Di Marzio reports that Torino boast a £19m release clause for foreign clubs in the goalkeeper’s contract and the chances are, they will want that paid in full if they are to lose their no.1.
A fee that Leeds can certainly afford, having sorted the defence out to the tune of just £30m – with Jaka Bijol costing £15m, Gabriel Gudmundsson a £10m signing and Sebastiaan Bornauw only requiring £5m.