Leeds United summer priority comes clear as Natan transfer wanted now

Leeds United are said to be keen on a deal for Real Betis defender Natan ahead of the summer transfer window.

And that speaks volumes about the Whites' transfer plans, given the number of centre-backs that have already been linked with a move to Elland Road.

Wolves' Santiago Bueno and Union Berlin's Danilho Doekhi emerged as the first few targets, but Ousmane Diomande and Natan are the most recent names mooted for a move.

The latter finds himself linked off the back of a fruitful campaign in LaLiga, in which he started 32 of the 33 league encounters that he featured in for Real Betis.

Given the pressure that was on Dominic Calvert-Lewin to score the goals last season, many assumed that the priority would have been to add more support in the final third.

However, that does not seem to be the case amid the latest reports connecting Leeds with a move for Natan.

How much would Leeds have to pay for Natan?

If Leeds are to pursue a move for the 25-year-old, it certainly won't come cheap.

A report from ABC Sevilla states that Betis have set a price tag in the region of £38million for the defender this summer.

With that said, that will not come as a surprise for many, given the fact that he still has four years left on his current contract.

It's claimed that Betis do not want to sell this summer, though there is an acceptance that he is their most valuable asset, which may change their stance if interest grows.

Who would Natan replace?

If Natan were to make the move to Elland Road, which at this stage still seems fairly unlikely, it's clear that he would replace Pascal Struijk

The Brazillian is a left-sided defender, and to get the best out of him, he would have to be utilised there.

Struijk showed signs of weakness in the Premier League last season, despite having a generally solid campaign overall.

However, out of the three current centre-backs, he is by far the most easily replaced.