Leeds United have put a €15m (£13m) price tag on Lucas Perri after Torino made their first move for the Brazilian goalkeeper.
We have covered on Thursday that the Serie A side were closely watching Leeds’ pursuit of James Trafford. They believe the Manchester City goalkeeper’s arrival could clear the way for Perri to head to Turin. Now there’s been another step forward.
According to UOL in Brazil, Torino have opened talks with Leeds over the 28-year-old. The report says discussions are still at an early stage. However, it also reveals something that hadn’t been public until now.
Leeds want €15m (£13m) before they’ll consider letting Perri leave.
Leeds make their position clear
That gives a much better idea of where Leeds stand after days of speculation over the goalkeeper’s future.
Italian reports had suggested the Whites weren’t prepared to let Perri go because Daniel Farke was left with very little cover in goal after Illan Meslier and Karl Darlow both departed this summer. That’s why Torino were keeping such a close eye on Leeds’ move for Trafford.
If Trafford arrives, Leeds suddenly have a new No.1 and the picture changes completely.
The latest update suggests Torino aren’t waiting around. They’ve already made contact with Leeds, even if negotiations are only just getting started.
Leeds only signed Lucas Perri from Lyon last summer in a deal worth around €23m (£20m). The expectation was that he would become the club’s first-choice goalkeeper following promotion back to the Premier League.
Things didn’t quite work out that way. He gradually lost his place during the campaign. He finished the season on the bench and has been linked with a move away ever since.
Trafford could still decide everything
Even with talks now underway, Leeds’ plans in goal are still likely to dictate what happens next.
Torino’s interest has been no secret for weeks. However, landing Perri has always looked likely to depend on Leeds bringing in a replacement first. Trafford remains the club’s main target for that role. As a result, his situation could still end up being the key to the whole story.
For now, though, Torino have gone beyond simply watching events unfold. They’ve opened talks with Leeds, and the Premier League club have made it clear that it’ll take €15m (£13m) to get a deal done.
