By David Woods

2nd Feb, 2021 | 8:36am

Roberto Martinez contacts breakthrough Leeds star over switch to Belgium ahead of Euros – report

The Belgian FA has contacted Leeds United breakthrough star Pascal Struijk in a bid to get him to switch international allegiances.

The 21-year-old centre-back is a former Dutch Under-17 international but has joint Belgian and Dutch nationality.

A report in De Telegraaf claims the Belgian FA is planning a “robbery” and that “alarm bells will ring” in the Netherlands after a phone conversation with Struijk.

It claims that Roberto Martínez has phoned Struijk in a bid to convince him to switch sides ahead of the delayed Euros this summer.

Another report in Voetbalzone claims Struijk still has a preference to play for the Netherlands.

Struijk is set for a run in the Leeds first-team after injuries to both Robin Koch and Diego Llorente.

Struijk has overcome adversity

Struijk has had a rollercoaster of a season in the Premier League.

He was thrown in at the deep end, alongside Robin Koch, in the first game of the season against champions Liverpool at Anfield after an injury to Liam Cooper.

Leeds conceded four goals in that game.

Then, following an injury to Kalvin Phillips, Struijk was handed the vital defensive midfield spot against Aston Villa.

He was hooked off after 21 minutes after picking up a yellow card for a rash challenge on Jack Grealish. Leeds went on to win 3-0 without him.

These are the sort of blows that can knock the confidence of any young player but Struijk has kept his head down and started showing signs of being a real talent at centre-back.

We might not want to see him in the Phillips role again but fans are more than happy to see him named as the starting centre-back alongside Cooper.

And his performances have got him in the shop window for the Belgian national side, which will leave him with a big choice to make.

In other Leeds United news, Leeds fringe star has huge opportunity v Everton after latest Bielsa fitness update