Sky Sports journo: Agent of Leeds-linked player to hold crunch talks with club today
Leeds United target Florentino Luis will have his future clarified today (Thursday) with his agent due to hold crunch talks with Benfica, according to Gianluca Di Marzio.
Writing on his website, the Sky Sports Italy journalist reported that a decision will be made on whether the 20-year-old midfielder will remain at Benfica or continue to be available for a move away from Lisbon.
Benfica’s new manager Jorge Jesus wants to keep Florentino while AC Milan and Leeds are reportedly interested.
Last month, Maisfutebol reported that Leeds are hoping to sign the defensive midfielder on a loan-to-buy deal.
It is something that Leeds have done quite often since hiring Marcelo Bielsa as their manager with Helder Costa and Illan Meslier both signing full-time contracts at Elland Road after initial loans while Jack Harrison is in his third season on loan at the club and could sign permanently next year.
Could Florentino be the next player to arrive in West Yorkshire on a loan-to-buy basis.
Based on Di Marzio’s update, it will become clearer by the end of play on Thursday on whether or not Benfica will let him leave.
Last season, Florentino made just 10 league appearances for Benfica so you can see why he might want to leave – but would his first-team opportunities be any better at Leeds?
Sure, Kalvin Phillips misses the odd game here and there because he does pick up the odd injury and suspension but we fully expect the 24-year-old to be Marcelo Bielsa’s first-choice holding midfielder in the Premier League and not a youngster like Florentino.
TuttoMercatoWeb has reported that the 20-year-old midfielder has an £18million price-tag on his head.
We don’t see Leeds splashing that much cash on someone who isn’t going to be first-choice.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites are in pursuit of this Uruguayan midfielder.