Brexit causes Leeds to crank up pursuit of £19.9m-valued international – report
Leeds United are being forced to crank up their pursuit of River Plate centre-back Lucas Martinez Quarta, according to Diario Popular.
The Argentine news outlet claims that when Ben White leaves Elland Road at the end of the season when his loan deal expires, Marcelo Bielsa will be in the hunt to sign a replacement and Quarta, 24, has caught his eye.
It is understood that the Argentina international has a £19.9million release clause in his contract at River Plate but could be available for less than that due to the financial climate that the coronavirus pandemic has put the game in.
Brexit could also affect the business that clubs do this summer and this report says that Leeds will try and land Quarta in the next summer transfer window rather than wait as it could become more difficult for him to secure a work permit in the UK.
Quarta is already a two-times Argentina international, has played 96 times in all competitions for River Plate and is dubbed as “one of the best defenders of Argentine football”.
It might not be an issue for him to get a work permit but Leeds are better off going in for him this summer rather than waiting, just in case there are any legal issues with completing a deal.
Leeds need to bolster their defence ahead of next season, regardless of what league they are playing in.
It is looking increasingly likely that the Whites will be a Premier League club again next term and Quarta seems to have enough top-flight experience to suggest he could be fine with making them step up to join Bielsa’s ranks.
However, that £19.9million release clause is a lot and Leeds could end up spending a lot of money on just securing their current loan stars on permanent contracts – aside from Ben White.
We don’t see United spending too much in the summer but they could try and bring Quarta’s price down with some tough negotiating with River.
In other Leeds United news, this Leeds defender has penned a new three-year deal.