Leeds eyeing move to sign Champions League defender who could replace Firpo
Leeds United are reportedly looking at signing a Champions League defender who could end up replacing Junior Firpo.
Leeds’ summer signings so far
The Whites and Daniel Farke are preparing for another season in the Championship and have been relatively active in the transfer market, even if the departures have significantly outweighed the number of arrivals.
Joe Rodon, Joe Rothwell and Alex Cairns have joined from Tottenham, Southampton and Salford City respectively, with the figure for Elland Road exits hitting double figures.
Leeds United's summer sales
New club
Fee (Transfermarkt)
Archie Gray
Tottenham
£34.7m
Glen Kamara
Rennes
£8.4m
Marc Roca
Real Betis
£3.8m
Charlie Cresswell
Toulouse
£3.8m
Diego Llorente
Real Betis
£2.7m
Robin Koch
Eintracht Frankfurt
Free transfer
Jamie Shackleton
Sheffield United
Free transfer
Kristoffer Klaesson
Rakow Czestochowa
Free transfer
Luke Ayling
Middlesbrough
Free transfer
Darko Gyabi
Plymouth Argyle
Loan
Sam Greenwood
Preston North End
Loan
Sonny Perkins
Leyton Oreint
Loan
There could be plenty of more incomings and outgoings before the season gets underway on August 10 against Portsmouth, with Rasmus Kristensen set to become the next player to leave for Eintracht Frankfurt on loan with an option to buy next summer.
Now, a new target has emerged for the 49ers Enterprises and Leeds.
Leeds eyeing move for Champions League defender
According to reports abroad, relayed by Sport Witness, Leeds are one of a number of clubs eyeing a move to sign AC Milan left-back Fode Ballo-Toure.
It is claimed that the Italian giants are looking to move on the 27-year-old this summer and actually have an agreement with Turkish side Besiktas. However, Ballo-Toure isn’t sold on a move to Istanbul and would prefer to look elsewhere, with Leeds, Championship rivals Watford and La Liga clubs Celta Vigo and Sevilla all credited with an interest.
The Whites may well view Ballo-Toure as a replacement for Firpo, who has reportedly agreed terms over a return to Real Betis, following in the footsteps of Diego Llorente and Marc Roca who have also signed for Betis this summer in permanent transfers.
Ballo-Toure, a Senegal international, began his career on the books of Paris Saint-Germain but failed to make a senior appearance for the Ligue 1 giants. He went on to gain first-team experience in France with Lille and Monaco, resulting in a move to AC Milan in 2021, where he has played six times in the Champions League.
Monaco
74
0
8
Lille
47
0
2
AC Milan
26
1
0
Fulham
8
0
0
Senegal
16
0
0
The left-back actually moved to Fulham on loan last season but made just eight appearances at Craven Cottage under Marco Silva. Now looking for a new home, Elland Road appears to be a potential destination, making this one to watch.