Leeds United’s interest in Vanja Milinkovic-Savic remains strong, but Napoli are also in the mix for the 28-year-old Torino goalkeeper.
The reality is that Leeds United are desperately in need of a goalkeeper and reports have emerged recently regarding Leeds’ interest in Vanja Milinkovic-Savic.
More recently, it’s been stated that Leeds are pushing hard to sign Milinkovic-Savic. It’s also been confirmed that Milinkovic-Savic is one of a three-man goalkeeper shortlist for Leeds this summer
Not only that, but he tops their priority list after a move for Nick Pope didn’t materialise in the end. It’s even been reported that Leeds have the advantage over Napoli in the race for the 28-year-old.
Vanja Milinkovic-Savic of Torino FC looks on prior to a Serie A game.
Photo by Nicolò Campo/LightRocket via Getty Images
Napoli prepare move for Leeds target Vanja Milinkovic-Savic
Other reports state Leeds are now insisting to sign Milinkovic-Savic while, crucially, Milinkovic-Savic wants a Premier League switch sooner rather than later.
In many ways, Milinkovic-Savic’s profile makes him an interesting goalkeeper. Standing at 6’8″, it’s clear to see why Leeds, Napoli, and others are in the race for his services.
Leeds looked as though they led Napoli in the race for the 28-year-old but the latest information states that the Serie A giants are now more serious in their attempts to acquire Milinkovic-Savic.
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Italian journalist Alfredo Pedulla has revealed the surprise that Napoli are back in for Milinkovic-Savic after there had been no talk of him for weeks.
He states that the spotlight was always on Leeds, but that the last few hours have seen Napoli “start to gather concrete information again and they could decide to make a move”.
Crucially, Leeds have not given up and they are still pushing, which the Serbian goalkeeper has opened up to but he still prefers to wait as he “has given Napoli his preference”.
He is confident Napoli will make a move, and until then he will remain on hold. The Azzurri have explored other options abroad, but now Milinkovic-Savic could materialise, and Pedulla claims that would be a surprise after “weeks of silence”.
Competition with Alex Meret is what they are after and Pedulla claims that we’ll have confirmation soon over which club he moves to. Leeds are no longer considered front-runners, however.
Lucas Perri claps his hands during Lyon vs Manchester United.
Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images
Leeds will turn to Lucas Perri if Vanja Milinkovic-Savic joins Napoli
Leeds have been linked with Lucas Perri already this summer. Born in Brazil, the 27-year-old kept 10 clean sheets in 33 Ligue 1 games last season, conceding 44 as Lyon achieved a sixth-placed finish in the French top tier.
It’s understood that Lyon want £12.8million for Perri this summer. However, negotiations could be made more difficult after the reveal that Lyon will not be relegated from Ligue 1 this season and will remain in the French top flight for the next campaign.
Perri will now be Leeds’ top choice instead if confidence over signing Milinkovic-Savic is waning. But a deal for the Brazilian international might not be so simple, given the fact Lyon now have a stronger hand in negotiations.
It might mean a larger fee than first stated, although Lyon’s financial outlook could help Leeds in negotiations for Perri if that is indeed who they turn to next instead.