Leeds United face a battle with Real Betis for Chelsea midfielder Mario Pasalic.
The agent of Chelsea midfielder Mario Pasalic has confirmed to Estadio Deportivo that Real Betis are one of a number of clubs vying for his signature, with Leeds United reportedly keen.
Pasalic, 22, joined Chelsea from Hajduk Split in his native Croatia back in 2014, but has still yet to make his first appearance for the Blues having been one of a number of players to have been loaned out repeatedly.
Mario Pasalic shoots
The midfielder spent time with Elche, Monaco and most recently AC Milan, where he hit five goals and one assist in 24 Serie A appearances before returning to Chelsea this summer.
Pasalic is unlikely to play any sort of role under Antonio Conte next season, so he could be on the move again this summer, with Gianluca Di Marzio claiming a host of clubs are keen on taking him on loan.
Lazio and Valencia are allegedly pursuing Pasalic, with Leeds United even registering an interest in taking him on loan as new manager Thomas Christiansen re-tools his squad at Elland Road.
Christiansen may have already brought in Mateusz Klich to boost his midfield ranks alongside Liam Bridcutt, Eunan O’Kane, Kalvin Phillips and Ronaldo Vieira, but he could also look to bring in Pasalic on loan.
Mario Pasalic celebrates after scoring for AC Milan
However, Pasalic’s agent Marko Naletilic has spoken to Estadio Deportivo in Spain, and has claimed that La Liga side Real Betis are also interested in signing Pasalic this summer, noting that a number of clubs are keen.
“I can only say that there are a lot of clubs interested in Pasalic, among them Betis,” said Naletilic. “It’s an important club in Spain and Europe, for which I have great respect,” he added.
Betis did take Chelsea youngster Charly Musonda on loan for a year, but it’s hard to tell whether that could help or hinder their pursuit of Pasalic. Musonda excelled in his first six months with the club, but then couldn’t break into the team under Gustavo Poyet and was sent back to Chelsea – meaning Leeds may have to hope that the Blues remember Musonda’s struggles in Andalucia when they pick Pasalic’s destination.
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