Leeds United: Brighton optimistic to seal deal for Florian Grillitsch
Leeds United face a battle to sign Florian Grillitsch as Brighton grow in optimism about signing the 26-year-old free agent after his departure from Hoffenheim.
The Telegraph reported (15 April) that Leeds had joined the race for the Austrian international midfielder and it was suggested on Wednesday (20 July) by Express journalist Ryan Taylor that an unnamed Premier League club had tabled an offer.
However, it appears that the unnamed club was not Jesse Marsch’s side with The Telegraph’s Mike McGrath reporting (via Twitter) on Thursday 21 July that Brighton have made an audacious attempt to sign the 26-year-old.
The Guardian’s Fabrizio Romano has also suggested (via Twitter) on Friday 22 July, that the Seagulls are optimistic about agreeing on a deal with the free agent.
A move for Grillitsch was always going to be a long shot for Leeds considering the interest from around Europe in the midfielder after his departure from the Bundesliga.
He would’ve been an excellent addition to Marsch’s midfield unit and really soften the blow of losing Kalvin Phillips earlier in the summer window.
However, free agents often come with large wage demands and the Whites are right to avoid paying huge amounts of money for Grillitsch when they’re still looking into other transfer targets.
A striker has to be at the top of the American’s list at present to provide Patrick Bamford with some adequate competition heading into the 2022/23 Premier League season.
The Elland Road faithful shouldn’t lose too much sleep over Brighton making a move for Grillitsch.
There are certainly more pressing concerns for the club hierarchy to deal with at present.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites now want to sign this striker with a rival set to kickstart a major £30million+ transfer battle