Newcastle are reportedly interested in centre-back Helander, who has been linked with Leeds in the past.
Newcastle United are reportedly interested in signing Bologna centre-back Filip Helander after a number of impressive scouting reports, but Championship promotion contenders Leeds cannot let The Toon go without a fight.
The Express has claimed that 25-year-old Helander, who was one of the first names on the team sheet for Bologna this season before suffering a knee injury, has caught the eye of Toon manager Rafa Benitez.
It is believed that if owner Mike Ashley is willing to provide Benitez with funds in the January transfer window, then the 6ft 3in defender will be at the top of Benitez’s shortlist.
Newcastle could do with a centre-back despite the imminent return of Florian Lejeune from injury, with Federico Fernandez and Ciaran Clark under fire. But Leeds have got to fight Newcastle for Pontus Jansson’s Sweden teammate.
Indeed, Leeds were linked with a move for Helander by Goal.com in the summer of 2017. Evidently thought of highly at Elland Road, the Whites could do with another centre-back more than ever.
Captain Liam Cooper has improved under Marcelo Bielsa, while Jansson continues to show he is one of the club’s best players alongside his skipper. But elsewhere, Leeds have little option.
Gaetano Berardi and Luke Ayling are better at full-back, while Conor Shaughnessy remains unproven and on the treatment table. A new centre-back is key if Leeds are to maintain a promotion battle.
Though a move to Premier League side Newcastle is likely to be more tempting to Helander, he would be first choice at Elland Road whereas his place in the side at Newcastle could be much harder to obtain.
If Newcastle do look to sign Helander in January, Leeds must not give up in their pursuit of the defender without a fight.
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