President says reported £11m Leeds target moving on could change his club’s life; eyes big windfall

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River Plate have been encouraged to cash in on reported Leeds United target Lucas Martinez Quarta before the transfer window slams shut, as reported El Intransigente.

The Premier League newcomers might have splashed out on Germany international Robin Koch after accepting defeat in their pursuit of Ben White, but it seems they are still in the market for one more central defender with just over three weeks before the October deadline.

Dinamo Zagreb wonder-kid Josko Gvardiol appears to be their £20 million priority, although Leeds are most certainly hedging their bets.

Swansea City’s Ben Cabango and Torino’s Lyanco are other names on Victor Orta’s radar.

While links with Martinez Quarta have grown cold of late, do not be surprised if the Argentina international enters the conversation again with time running out.

Jeunes Footeaux reported in July that Leeds were prepared to pay £11 million for River Plate’s 2018 Copa Libertadores winner.

And there is one man in South America who would love nothing more than to see Martinez Quarta arm in arm with Marcelo Bielsa at Elland Road – the president of his former club, Kimberley de Mar del Plata.

“For the sake of Kimberley, I want him to be sold – but also for him, any player wants to go to Europe,” Luciano Mignini told El Intransigente and El Crack Deportivo.

“The club has 15 per cent sell on clause. We are looking forward to a possible sale of (Martinez Quarta), because it would change the club’s life financially.”

If River Plate are willing to accept £11 million, lower league Kimberley would earn a cash windfall of around £1.6 million.

And, speaking to TYC Sport earlier in the summer, Martinez Quarta’s agent suggested that River would ‘need to sell’ due to the financial crisis endured by all Argentine clubs in recent months.