Former Leeds United U21 coach Benito Carbone has told the Italian media he hopes to keep Felipe Avenatti despite the 23-year-old being linked with a move to Elland Road this summer. Carbone was recently installed as the new coach of Ternana following the departure of Christian Panucci.
Speaking to Ternana News, Carbone was asked about the situation with the two Uruguayans at the club, Avenatti and César Falletti. Carbone said he wants to keep hold of the two players because he will find it hard to replace them, but realises they need to extend their contracts.
Carbone accepts it’s hard to predict what will happen in the future in the transfer market, but revealed they will be working with their agents to renew their contracts.
“The future of Falletti and Avenatti? We want to keep them because we know they are difficult to replace. But they are not linked to us with long-term contracts. Today we are 100% convinced of their stay, but the inability to predict the evolution of the market we probe the ground for possible replacements. And in the meantime we work hard for the contract renewal with their agent,” said the Ternana manager.
Leeds United have been linked with Avenatti since last summer, and in recent weeks there have been claims in Italy the Championship side have approached Ternana with regards to the Uruguayan.
Carbone is likely to be the key to any deal being done with Leeds United, although they will face competition from Serie A clubs to sign the South American.
