Torino goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic is one of a few names on Leeds United’s shortlist in goal, and it is claimed in Italy that the two clubs remain in talks this week over a transfer.
Nine days remain before Leeds’ first pre-season fixture gets underway, and there remains the question of who is going to start in goal by the time the new season rolls around.
Recruitment staff appear to be working hard to source a new number one after Daniel Farke’s remaining faith in Illan Meslier dissolved back in April.
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Leeds United in “continuous” talks with Torino over Vanja Milinkovic-Savic
Attempts to bring in a new goalkeeper have seen Leeds’ eye cast over the Serie A with Torino’s man-mountain Vanja Milinkovic-Savic.
The 6ft8in stopper’s impressive form during the 24/25 campaign has alerted plenty of clubs across Europe, with TuttoMercatoWeb providing the latest update.
(REUTERS/Daniele Mascolo)
They share that his twofold release clause would require any side out of Italy to pay €22million (£19million), meaning the asking price is fixed for Leeds, should they lodge an offer for the 28-year-old.
Leeds’ efforts to strike an agreement are detailed in the report:
“On Milinkovic-Savic, meanwhile, Leeds remains strong: the English continue to show a growing interest in him so much so that contacts with Toro are continuous.
“The payment of the Serbian goalkeeper’s termination clause is expected, from 22 million in the case of a foreign club and from 19.5 million if it was an Italian club to pay for it (watch out for Napoli).
“Finally, the Munich and Fenerbahce surveys are recorded in the background.”
Napoli are eyeing another goalkeeper as competition, but have been linked with several names from across Europe, most recently former Leeds man Marco Silvestri, who is currently a free agent at the age of 34 following his release from Empoli.
Leeds United and Vanja Milinkovic-Savic: Pay the money, land the player
It might be a case of Milinkovic-Savic playing the field in hopes of an offer from a side higher up the food chain than Leeds, which would be fair enough.
However, we have a very clear opportunity to bypass a club’s valuation of a very good player for a position we need, and £19million is a price definitely worth paying.
He might want big wages, but for our chances of survival, landing Milinkovic-Savic would be arguably the biggest deal we could make in July.
Sometimes, haggling over wages and valuations is worthwhile, but in others, you might just have to pay the money and get the player signed, should financials be the key sticking point.