Why Leeds have key ingredient to write Natan transfer success story as likely fee set
Natan would have the chance to "excel" if he signs for Leeds United this summer, MOT Leeds News has been told.
Daniel Farke received his first transfer breakthrough of the summer window with the signing of Harry Wilson on Wednesday, and he will want more.
Real Betis defender Natan is a player that has been strongly and repeatedly linked with a move to Elland Road in recent weeks.
The 25-year-old central defender has been with the Seville-based side since the summer of 2024, and has played 97 times for El Glorioso in his two seasons there.
He's been a big part of Manuel Pellegrini's squad as a result, starting 32 of his 33 La Liga outings in 2025-26.
And with Leeds now said to be sniffing around his signature, Farke has been told that he would be making a potentially highly shrewd acquisition with the Brazilian, but only on one condition.
What Natan needs in order to thrive with Leeds
Now heading towards the prime years of his career as a centre-back, Natan could well be spending them in West Yorkshire.
Speaking with MOT Leeds News, respected Spanish football correspondent Ruairidh Barlow - who has spent the last four years with popular news outlet Football Espana - has offered fascinating insight into how Leeds could get the best out of the defender.
"I would almost be tempted to say that Natan's chances of success depend on the defence that he's in," Barlow told us.
"If he's paired with a leader at the back, in an organised defence, he'll excel and will avoid mistakes. In a good defence, he can be reliable and can help bully forwards.
"If he's asked to worry about those around him, if he has to work overtime covering for others, you probably won't see the best of him.
"So far we've not seen him be the one to set the tone for a defence, so he might not be a transformative signing, but he can be an important part of a structure."
Luckily for Leeds then, Farke certainly has a leader to pair him with at the back in Joe Rodon.
On top of that, the Whites' 56 goals conceded in the Premier League last season were only six more than third-placed Man United, three more than fifth-placed Liverpool and two more than sixth-placed Bournemouth respectively.
Therefore, judging on this testimony, Leeds should feel confident that they've got the tools in defence to ensure Natan could play his best football LS11.
Why Natan is Leeds' player if they want him
Real Betis are a big club in Spanish football, but like most clubs across world football, they don't have an endless pit of financial resource behind them.
As a result, sales are needed in order to balance the books and stay within La Liga's financial rules.
Speaking in more depth about Betis' transfer situation, Barlow told us that the Andalusians wouldn't stand in Natan's way if Leeds come calling.
"Ultimately, Napoli bought him from Brazil for €9.5m (£8m), and sold him for €9m (£7.6m)," Barlow continued.
"After two good years at Betis, they're looking for €30m (£25.5m) for him. Sometimes the transfer market can be deceptive, but in this case, I think those numbers give you an insight into how both sides saw him.
"Natan is good, but not irreplaceable, and Betis would be happy enough to cash in on him.
"Generally, they're required to make one or two big sales a summer, and it's no surprise Natan has emerged as a name they're willing to part with for the right fee."
According to a report from ABC Sevilla in late June, Betis valued Natan at £30m, but Barlow's assessment of his situation suggests that Leeds may not need to pay as much as that to strike a deal.