With six goals conceded in their first two Premier League games and a surprise exit from the Carabao Cup, adding a central defender became a priority for Leeds this summer.
First, there was Dinamo Zagreb’s Josko Gvardiol and, when that move simply couldn’t get off the ground, they turned their attention elsewhere.
That saw them complete a deal for Real Sociedad’s Diego Llorente earlier this week, a move which should have put an end to any other rumours.
That did not happen, however, with new reports instead naming them among a group of Premier League clubs all interested in Juventus defender Daniele Rugani.
Tuttosport back up that rumour today, stating that the centre back has had ‘various offers’ arrive for him this week that should ‘stir the waters’ at Juventus.
One sticking price is Juve’s asking price, with it made clear they have no intention of ‘making discounts’ and have asked for €20-25m initially if they are to sanction a sale.
But while Tuttosport say that the interest is definitely there, Calciomercato.it deny it outright.
Fonti vicine al #Leeds di #Bielsa, smentiscono l'interesse per Daniele #Rugani della #Juventus: dopo l'acquisto di Diego #Llorente, il mercato in entrata, per quanto riguarda i difensori centrali, si può dire chiuso @calciomercatoit #CMITmercato
— Alessio Lento (@alessio_lento) September 24, 2020
According to them, sources ‘close’ to Leeds have denied the interest in the centre back, making it clear that they are not interested in any other centre backs following the arrival of Llorente.
That would make more sense given the money spent on the Spaniard and Juve’s seemingly high asking price.
Perhaps the reality is that Leeds were interested before completing a deal for Llorente this week, but now that’s all done, they’ve turned their attention elsewhere.
