Diogo LeiteBreaking Media

What late Leeds United interest in Diogo Leite tells us as free transfer on cards

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Published on:

24 Aug 2026, 11:10 am

Leeds United could bring in another centre-back in Diogo Leite before the summer transfer window concludes.

The Whites have until 11pm next Monday to conclude any business.

However, free agents can be signed beyond that cut-off point, which is a category Leite falls into.

He has been without a club since his contract with Bundesliga side Union Berlin expired at the end of last season.

Leite spent four seasons with Union, the first of those on loan, having joined from Porto.

It was in the Portuguese top flight the defender really made a name for himself, and he may now be set to play in a third different country.

What has been said on Leeds' interest in Diogo Leite?

Leeds have already moved to bring in Tarik Muharemovic this summer in a big-money deal.

That is offset by the exit of Pascal Struijk to Brighton and Hove Albion.

Another centre-back is not exactly at the top of Daniel Farke's list of priorities right now.

However, further cover is always welcome and Leite being available on a free - his wages not withstanding - would be some smart business.

It also suggests Farke is not 100 per cent convinced he has enough options to see him through for the season.

According to West Ham transfer specialist ExWHUEmployee via The West Ham Way, Leite is evaluating his next move amid interest from Leeds.

Teams in Saudi Arabia are also looking to sign the former Portugal Under-21s defender, while West Ham could make a late move of their own.

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What has previously been said about Leite?

Leite showed a huge amount of promise in his early days at Portuguese heavyweights Porto.

He was even hailed by legendary defender Pepe as "the best centre-back in Portugal" in 2023.

That led to his move to Union Berlin, for whom he made 136 appearances in all competitions.

Oliver Ruhnert, who was Union's sporting director, said of Leite in the past: "He knows how to position himself well in defensive situations. He has good basic speed."

Leite has certainly impressed down the years, then, and while his arrival would not exactly set the pulses racing, it would be a smart capture.

With Mykhailo Mudryk also potentially joining on loan from Chelsea, that would be two money-saving deals for Leeds at the end of the window.

Mykhailo Mudryk