Leeds United: £14million on offer for Arsenal-linked Josip Sutalo as Whites plow into transfer race amid chaos
Leeds United have appeared in the race for Croatia international defender Josip Sutalo amid the disarray back at Elland Road, according to Sportske Jutarnji.
The 23-year-old was part of the side that finished third at the Qatar World Cup this season and is also of interest to Arsenal.
But according to the latest report the Whites are “seriously bitten” by the Dynamo Zagreb centre-back and are currently willing to offer €16million [£14.1million] to sign him amid all manner of upheaval at Elland Road.
The chances of success in the event of relegation are seen as minimal – Sam Allardyce was confirmed on Wednesday (3 May) tasked with avoiding that fate over the final four games – and if the Gunners make a move they are reportedly prepared to pay €20million [£17.6million].
Chaos
Leeds United absolutely need to sign a reliable centre-back, probably to play alongside Max Wober, after two seasons of performances that leave plenty to be desired.
The Austrian brought a notable improvement at what has become a problem position upon his January arrival from Red Bull Salzburg, but at different times Robin Koch, Liam Cooper, Pascal Struijk and Diego Llorente have all been a long way short of the required level.
The latter might end up at Roma thanks a reasonable loan that appeared to have won the trust of Jose Mourinho before he suffered an injury.
A young international defender who starts regularly for a league title winning side looks like exactly the right sort of target, although they will surely have to beat Arsenal’s offer, but unless Big Sam can pull off an improbable rescue job a move for Sutalo is moot.
Amid abject recent form it might be more hopeful to look for the three teams below the Whites in the table to keep losing, with Leeds still currently outside the relegation zone ahead of the away game at Manchester City on 6 May.
And with Victor Orta the first to go this week amid a Spanish exodus that also included Javi Gracia and others, exactly who would be in charge of negotiations for the defender is currently anyone’s guess.
In other Leeds United news, one man who left Elland Road this week is already in line to make a dramatic return to his former club.