AMBITIOUS Leeds United are reportedly set to make an offer for Lazio star Luiz Felipe.
Marcelo Bielsa is desperate to strengthen his defence before his newly-promoted side begin their Premier League campaign.
Leeds are set to make a move for Lazio defender Felipe LuizCredit: Getty Images
Brighton’s Ben White, who played every minute of their Championship-winning campaign while on-loan, was his No.1 target.
But the Seagulls are refusing to sell and are instead on the verge of tying him down to a new long-term contract.
That has led Bielsa to turn his attention elsewhere in search of reinforcements.
La Lazio Siamo Noi claims Felipe has now emerged as Leeds’ newest option.
And they state that talks between the English and Italian clubs have been “accelerating in the last few hours”.
According to their report, Leeds are set to table a bid of £27million for the South American.
However, the Serie A outfit will reject that offer.
They are demanding at least £33m for the 23-year-old.
Leeds are currently unwilling to stretch that far as they prepare to begin negotiations for the ace.
Lazio are unwilling to sell Felipe this summer.
But their president Claudio Lotito is prepared to cash in on him if Leeds meet their asking price.
Felipe, who has also been linked previously with Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, has shone since joining from Ituano in his homeland back in 2016.
He has made over 100 appearances and helped Lazio to two Supercoppas and a Coppa Italia.
How Leeds could line up next season, with Ibrahimovic and Cavani in attack plus Quarta and Bravo in defence
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
