Leeds United face competition to sign Leonardo Pavoletti.
Leeds United want to sign Leonardo Pavoletti, but even without their own financial issues being a distraction, there is another threat to the deal.
Italian newspaper Corrierre dello Sport report that Serie A side Cesena also want to bring the striker aboard.
Pavoletti scored 24 goals last season in Serie B when out on loan, but has returned to parent club Sassuolo, where he has been only a bit-part figure.
The 26-year-old striker has made just seven appearances for the Serie A side all season, all of which have been from the bench, amassing just 118 minutes of playing time – and no goals.
Leeds took an interest in him previously but he elected to stay, with sporting director Nicola Salerno stating this week: “Pavoletti interested us last summer, we tried to get him to no avail. If he is available, we would take him gladly.”
Interest from Cesena is however likely to sway Pavoletti away from Leeds.
He would not only get the chance to remain in Italy, but also to play in the top flight, where he would get chances unlike at his current side.
With all of the off-field complications at Leeds hardly making for a settled environment to attract a highly rated player, it appears it would be Cesena who would have the advantage.
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