Club ready to sell centre-back who Leeds want to sign, negotiations to begin at £11.7m – report
Leeds United have been handed a boost in their pursuit of River Plate centre-back Lucas Martinez Quarta, according to El Intransigente.
The Argentinean news outlet claims that River are willing to sell the 24-year-old in the summer transfer window in a bid to raise cash.
It is understood that although Quarta’s release clause is worth £19.6million, River will being negotiations at around £11.7million in order to make a sale.
Leeds are said to have strong interest in the Argentina international, who is also wanted by Real Betis, Valencia, Fiorentina, Inter Milan and AC Milan.
Marcelo Bielsa needs to add a couple of new centre-backs to his squad this summer with Gaetano Berardi facing a nine-month lay-off with a knee injury and Ben White going back to Brighton with his loan deal coming to an end.
Quarta has never played anywhere but River Plate but did earn his first two caps for Argentina last year, which surely shows that he is someone who is worth keeping an eye on ahead of next season.
Inter Milan legend Javier Zanetti as previously said that Quarta is “the most interesting [player] in Argentina” [Goal], which is certainly high praise.
Leeds are still celebrating their Championship title win so as of right now, we doubt that any concrete shortlists have been finalised by Bielsa and Victor Orta.
But we would imagine that someone like Quarta, who is available for a cut-price fee, is young and fills a gap in the Leeds squad, is someone who the Yorkshire giants will pursue.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites have made an offer for this defender.