Lucas Perri defended as criticism of Leeds United loanee goes too far

Lucas Perri's loan spell away from Leeds United is seemingly not getting any better.

The Brazilian joined the Serie A side near the end of the summer transfer window after weeks of speculation.

Marseille attempted to hijack the deal, but Perri was good to his word and joined Torino for the duration of the 2026-27 season - and possibly beyond.

Perri has not had the best time of things so far in Italy, however, having come in for criticism for multiple errors.

There are even suggestions Perri has undertaken extra lessons on his distribution due to it being so poor.

But amid the widespread criticism, Torino boss Ignazio Abate has leapt to the goalkeeper's defence.

What's been said about Lucas Perri at Torino?

Perri's lack of football at Leeds last season is being blamed for his early struggles in Turin.

The 28-year-old made an error leading to a goal as Torino were eliminated from the Coppa Italia by Monza early on in the competition.

He also made a mistake in the recent 2-0 Serie A loss to Roma.

Torino has come under fire for his below-par displays, but Abate suggested the comments have gone too far.

Asked at his press conference on Friday what he has found "most disappointing" this week, Abate is quoted by Toro News as saying: "I read things about Perri that I didn't like.

"The boy knows he has to ignore the comments, and I demand that too, even though I'm a stickler for change.

"Criticism is one thing; these comments are another. And then there are those words about a boy arriving in a new environment, with new demands, who hasn't yet found a home... It's not easy.

"It's in moments like these that I embrace my boys; they deserve my trust and my energy. It has to be about not just me, but the environment."

Perri will have a chance to bounce back assuming he is selected to start against Bologna on Saturday afternoon.

How much can Perri leave Leeds for?

As per the terms of the loan arrangement struck last month, Torino have the option to purchase Perri permanently at the end of the season.

If they do so, they will need to hand over £13.7million to Leeds.

That is not far off what United paid to sign Perri from Lyon last year.

It is a £2m loss the Whites are prepared to take, with James Trafford now the undisputed number one and Michael Zetterer settled in as number two.