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Leeds approach Euro club over £18m-rated midfielder who could switch to PL - reports
Leeds United have approached Benfica about a potential summer deal for midfielder Florentino Luis, according to Record.
The Portuguese newspaper claims that Leeds are in contact with Benfica and have enquired to “evaluate the terms of a possible transfer” this summer.
Record adds that a move to the Premier League is on the cards for the 20-year-old.
TuttoMercatoWeb reported earlier this week that Leeds have met with Florentino’s agent and now that contact has been made with Benfica, it seems that this is a deal that the Whites are really pushing on with in the early stages of this transfer window.
The Italian news outlet also reported that the Portugal Under-21 international could be available for between £18million and £27.1million, which would be a record transfer fee for newly-promoted Leeds.
But do the Whites really need the Benfica sensation?
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Kalvin Phillips plays in the same position as Florentino and he is one of the best players that Marcelo Bielsa will have at his disposal next season – unless there’s an unexpected sale.
Florentino does sound like he would be a good signing. João Tralhão, who has previously coached the 20-year-old at Benfica told Bernabeu Digital in June that the player is an “exceptional talent” who is also a “logical option” for Real Madrid.
Tralhão’s bound to know more about Florentino than most but there are not many players out there who Leeds would rather have playing in the holding midfield role next season that Phillips.
Florentino would be nothing more than an expensive back-up option for the future England international, unless Bielsa plans to use him in a different, more advanced, position.
Transfermarkt shows that all of Florentino’s appearances for Benfica this season came in a defensive midfield role.
Maybe Bielsa sees something in the Portuguese youngster that no one else has spotted just yet.
In other Leeds United news, Sky Sports has detailed an update on Ben White’s future.