Leeds United goalkeeper target Vanja Milinkovic-Savic has reportedly agreed personal terms for a potential move to Serie A champions Napoli.
The Whites have just over a month before the start of the Premier League, with multiple positions needing attention before that meeting with Everton in mid-August.
Included in that is the high-priority signing of a new starting goalkeeper, something that simply cannot be avoided before the start of the new season.
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Leeds United target Vanja Milinkovic-Savic agrees terms for Napoli move
Who replaces Illan Meslier as the club’s long-term starting option for next season onwards remains quite unclear, as the 49ers cast their net far and wide for a signing.
Torino’s man-mountain Vanja Milinkovic-Savic is one of the standout names claimed to on the club’s radar, but after a stellar season once more in the Serie A, he’s courted by others in much stronger positions, including Napoli.
(REUTERS/Daniele Mascolo)
It was reported recently that the Serbian is holding out for a Napoli move rather than wanting to join Leeds in the Premier League, and that notion is solidified with reports from TuttoMercatoWeb sharing that he has in fact agreed personal terms with the Italian champions.
A fee is yet to be agreed between the two clubs as Milinkovic-Savic’s contract holds a two-part release clause, costing €19million (£16.44million) to Italian clubs and €22million (£19million) to clubs outside of the country.
Leeds United need to act faster and make a decisive offer to a goalkeeper
Milinkovic-Savic would have been an outstanding signing, but noises out of Italy suggest it’s not likely for us, given he’s keen on Napoli.
It’s fair for him to want that move to the best side in his current league, playing in the Champions League, as opposed to a relegation scrap in the Premier League.
He’s the archetype of ‘keeper we need with a seriously imposing figure and strong shot-stopping record, but he’s not the only one out there.
Next week, Leeds need to be acting fact to get deals over the line to have enough time to prepare for the season.