Leeds United are stepping up their centre-back search as they look to replace Pascal Struijk this summer. The Whites lost the reliable defender to Brighton, who managed to take advantage of the fact he had just one year remaining on his Elland Road deal.
It was a blow for the Whites, but it's one they will have been aware was a possibility while speaking to Struijk about a possible new deal. Daniel Farke and the club's recruitment staff will have drawn up a shortlist of possible replacements, and the time has come to dive into that list to source a replacement.
A number of defenders have already been linked, and it appears Leeds are taking some concrete steps over one particular target.
Leeds hold talks with Solet's people
Leeds head coach Daniel Farke reacts on the touchline
According to journalist Francesco Guerrieri, the Whites have held discussions with the representatives of Oumar Solet. It's claimed the Whites are pushing for a deal to land the Udinese centre-back despite the Italian club having already lost one of their key players in Arthur Atta this summer.
Remarkably, Udinese signed Solet on a free transfer after he left Salzburg in 2024, and they could now be set to make more than £20million should they choose to sell.
Leeds know they are going to have to pay that kind of money to properly replace Struijk this summer, and the vast majority of the defenders linked are in that price bracket.
What Leeds would be getting in Solet
Red Bull Salzburg's Oumar Solet with the OFB Cup.
Solet is still only 26, but he has been trying to shake off the label of being a highly-rated youngster who never fulfilled his potential. Lyon and Salzburg passed on the defender despite the big expectations surrounding him, but he has gone on to show his worth in Serie A.
His form saw him linked with Inter Milan in the opening weeks of the summer, but it doesn't look as though he will be heading to San Siro, opening the door for Leeds. He has also been linked with Man Utd in the past.
The 6ft 3ins defender is seen as a physical presence, and in terms of playing style, he is a forward-thinking defender who is able to spark attacks with his precise passing ability. He can also play in a back three, which is appealing to many coaches.
Solet has had some injury issues in the past, but he has stayed fit consistently for Udinese for the most part, so they are seemingly behind him at this stage.
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