Leeds United handed boost to sign left-back Borna Sosa with Manchester City and Chelsea bowing out of race

Leeds United may now have a clear run to sign Stuttgart left-back Borna Sosa this summer with the market for him seeming to cool.

According to CBS journalist Ben Jacobs, both Chelsea and Manchester City have looked at the 24-year-old defender along with the Whites.

However, it seems that the two Premier League heavyweights have diverted their attention elsewhere - giving Leeds almost a clear run to sign the £20million-rated Croatia international.

Jacobs took to Twitter on July 18 to write, "Plenty of interest in Croatian left-back Borna Sosa, who will be allowed to leave Stuttgart for £20 million. On #MCFC’s radar, though Marc Cucurella is Pep’s preference. Bayern also interested in Sosa. Wolves and Chelsea have looked at him in the past, too. Thrives in a 3-4-2-1.

"No official bids for Sosa just yet. But he’s being watched by a number of top clubs. Dortmund and Leeds two others who, like Chelsea, have scoured him historically but chose not to make a move. Stuttgart won’t stop Sosa leaving this window."

However, since then, City have turned their attention to Anderlecht left-back Sergio Gomez and have already opened negotiations to sign him. [Nieuwsblad]

They wanted Marc Cucurella prior to that, but it seems that Chelsea have now won the race and will be signing him as a full agreement has been reached with Brighton. [Fabrizio Romano]

With two super-rich teams diverting their focus, it now seems the perfect time for Leeds to enter negotiations for Sosa.

Stuttgart are willing to sell him and the Whites desperately need a new left-back with Stuart Dallas injured, Junior Firpo returning to full fitness and Leif Davis leaving the club on a permanent basis.

In other Leeds United news, a 29-year-old has snubbed interest from Europe to move to Elland Road with the move subject to a work permit.