Leeds United defender Pascal Struijk has emerged as a transfer target for Villarreal heading into the final fortnight of the summer transfer window.
That is according to Football Insider, who claim the La Liga outfit have expressed their interest in signing the Dutch centre-back. The report states that it remains unknown at this stage whether the Whites will entertain offers for Struijk.
The 26-year-olds has been a first-team regular under Whites boss Daniel Farke, playing an integral role in their Championship title-winning season. Struijk looks set to start alongside Joe Rodon at the heart of their rearguard for their Premier League curtain-raiser against Everton tonight.
However, Farke has strengthened his backline since guiding them to promotion, bringing in centre-backs Jaka Bijol and Sebastiaan Bornauw this summer. Bijol is suspended for the Everton clash but there is a strong possibility the former Udinese man could replace Struijk at the back for Saturday's trip to Arsenal.
Struijk has two years left to run on his Whites deal. PSV Eindhoven were credited with an interest in Struijk earlier this year. Selling Struijk for a substantial fee could potentially give United more wriggle room from a PSR standpoint.
United faced Villarreal in a pre-season friendly. It finished all square at Elland Road as Joel Piroe's close range strike cancelled out Etta Eyong's opener.
The Spanish club secured Champions League qualification last term after finishing in fifth position.
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Justin update
Bringing in a new full-back is high on Farke's priority list over the next 14 days. Leeds Live understands the Whites have held talks with Leicester City over signing James Justin.
But a move for Justin is in doubt after the 27-year-old picked up an injury in the Foxes' 2-1 loss to Preston North End on Saturday. Justin was forced off in the second half of the Championship encounter because of a leg issue.
Sky Sports say United are waiting to hear back about the severity of Justin's problem before making a decision. It is thought the Whites have other targets for the full-back position they can pursue if the deal for Justin collapses.
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