Leeds United have another defender on their growing shortlist with Torino’s Lyanco a potential £9 million target, according to O Jogo.
Try as they might, the West Yorkshire giants might soon have to get used to the idea that Ben White is gone and he is not coming back.
Graham Potter has big fans for a technically-gifted central defender who fits his possession-based principles like a tailored Armani waistcoat.
And it seems that Brighton are instead looking to sell Shane Duffy, therefore creating a space for White in Brighton’s starting XI.
Fortunately, Leeds have other options lined up.
Lucas Martinez Quarta is an Argentine international with a Copa Libertadores trophy on his CV. Taylor Harwood-Bellis, meanwhile, has been tipped for a great future at Manchester City by none other than Pep Guardiola.
According Sinisa Mihajlovic, the Yugoslavian legend and former Inter Milan play-maker, Lyanco is a player who has not even scratched the surface of his potential.
“Lyanco is a great prospect. He’ll need to learn our routine, schemes, language and get to know a demanding manager,” the Torino boss told Gianluca di Marzio recently.
Lyanco, a former Sporting Lisbon youngster, overcame a serious ligament injury to establish himself in Torino’s starting XI over the second half of last season.
But with interest rising from Italy and beyond, a £9 million offer could force Mihaljovic to bid farewell to a player he rates very highly.
O Jogo names Leeds as one of the clubs interested. And, given that Lyanco averages an 85 per cent pass completion rate, he can at least match Ben White in one department.
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