Leeds United’s hopes of singing Vedat Muriqi could be rising after making ‘significant progress’ in their move for the Lazio striker.
Lazio-based website La Lazio Siamo Noi report that Leeds have made their move to sign Muriqi.
Major progress has been made, but no deal has yet been reached between Leeds and Lazio as things stand.
The current terms are believed to be a loan until the end of the season with a permanent option of €8million (£6.7million).
The problem right now is that Lazio allegedly want that permanent clause to be obligatory, whereas Leeds want it to be an option.
Talks are ongoing, with the hope of working through that issue and finding a way to get Muriqi to Elland Road.
It’s worth adding that Hull City want to sign Muriqi as their takeover from Acun Ilicali moves closer and closer.
If Leeds don’t get the deal tied up soon, Hull could swoop in and pull off an ambitious deal for Muriqi.
Muriqi, 27, excelled in Turkey with Caykur Rizespor and Fenerbahce, smashing a combined 42 goals in 88 games.
Add in 18 goals for Kosovo in just 37 caps and Muriqi has been a regular goalscorer in recent times.
That tempted Lazio into signing Muriqi in 2020, but he has scored just once in 34 league outings for Lazio.
The Rome club now want shut of Muriqi, with Leeds emerging as a potential destination.
Marcelo Bielsa got plenty out of traditional target men like Fernando Llorente and Andre-Pierre Gignac, but hasn’t really had that kind of figure at Leeds.
Muriqi could now arrive to fill that kind of role for the Whites, offering something different to Patrick Bamford.
There is work to be done here, but Leeds appear to be moving in the right direction in their pursuit of Muriqi.
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