Leeds United’s surge in the transfer window has continued on Tuesday afternoon as Daniel Farke’s side have now opened talks to sign an Aston Villa defender.
Over the weekend, things started to move as Leeds plotted a move to land Udinese and Slovenia giant Jaka Bijol. The 62-time Slovenia ace is keen to leave Udinese, and Leeds are ready to meet his price tag.
Elsewhere, reports then emerged that Leeds had made a £22m bid to sign Senegal international Habib Diarra from Liam Rosenior’s Strasbourg. Moves for both players were confirmed as accurate by the YEP.
Now, on Tuesday morning, Foot Mercato journalist Santi Aouna has an update for Leeds and in a clear indication that The Whites are looking to bring in a replacement for Junior Firpo – from Aston Villa.
Photo by Jon Hobley | MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Photo by Jon Hobley | MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Leeds open talks to sign Aston Villa defender Alex Moreno
Firpo is now widely anticipated to leave Leeds this summer with his contract due to expire at the end of the season. The Dominican Republic ace is said to be in talks with European giants Lyon and AC Milan.
Leeds have been linked with a few left-backs, including Liverpool’s Konstantinos Tsimikas. But according to Aouna, Leeds have now opened talks to sign 32-year-old left-back Alex Moreno from Aston Villa.
Moreno, a £13.3m signing in January 2023 at Villa, spent the 2024-25 season on loan at Nottingham Forest but only managed 19 appearances in all competitions. He is back at Villa with his future unclear.
According to Aouna, Leeds have opened talks to land the former Betis full-back. The French reporter also states that contact took place in the last hours, and that Betis, Burnley and Sociedad are also interested.
MORE LEEDS UNITED STORIES
“Leeds added Álex Moreno to their list for new left back in summer. First contact took place in the last hours. Betis, Real Sociedad and Burnley also like his profile but no official offer yet,” Aouna reported.
🚨EXCL: 🔴🇪🇸 #PL |
❗️Leeds added Álex Moreno to their list for new left back in summer. First contact took place in the last hours
➡️ Betis, Real Sociedad and Burnley also like his profile but no official offer yet@footmercato pic.twitter.com/QqHq5lQ5ss
— Santi Aouna (@Santi_J_FM) June 10, 2025
View Tweet
Alex Moreno actually made his Premier League debut v Leeds
Bought by Unai Emery’s Villa two and a half years ago, Moreno was an early substitution during one of Jesse Marsch’s final games in charge as Leeds manager. Moreno replaced Lucas Digne on 10 minutes.
A game that Villa went on to win 2-1 at Villa Park, thanks to goals from Leon Bailey and Emi Buendia – who could also end up at Elland Road in the coming weeks and months, forming a Daniel Farke reunion.
Leeds got a late goal through Patrick Bamford but the game is probably remembered most for Willy Gnonto’s excellent display on Leeds’ left. Now, Moreno could go full circle and join Leeds this summer.