'In the coming hours': Fabrizio Romano claims 'exceptional' Leeds target is on verge of joining another club

By Giuseppe Labellarte

Leeds United have done well so far in the summer transfer window.

The Whites have already landed Brenden Aaronson and Rasmus Kristensen from Red Bull Salzburg.

Leeds boss Jesse Marsch is now reportedly looking to bring a new midfielder to Elland Road.

This would be as cover for Kalvin Phillips, whose absence for much of last season nearly cost Leeds their Premier League status.

However, it looks as though the Whites have just missed out on one potential target.

In April, the Daily Mail reported that Leeds had joined the race for Hoffenheim’s Florian Grillitsch.

A month later, Dean Jones wrote on GiveMeSport that the Whites were indeed targeting the Austria international.

However, Fiorentina have since stepped in and are now closing in on the free signing of Grillitsch.

Fabrizio Romano reported on Tuesday that they were in advanced talks with the 26-year-old.

And today, Romano claimed that a final meeting over Fiorentina signing Grillitsch was going to take place “in the coming hours”.

“One of the best players in the Bundesliga”

Grillitsch played at Euro 2020, helping Austria reach the second round of the competition.

His nation gave eventual winners Italy a tough game in the last 16, taking them to extra time.

Julian Nagelsmann, who previously managed Hoffenheim, waxed lyrical about Grillitsch in 2020.

“In my opinion, Flo Grillitsch is one of the best players in the Bundesliga,” Sky Sports Austria quoted him as saying.

“He still has room for improvement, he knows that, I’ve told him that often enough.

“But he is an exceptional footballer and has an incredible gift for setting the rhythm of the game.”

It’s a shame that Leeds look set to miss out on him.

However, it is still early in the transfer window and there will be plenty of players Victor Orta will surely target.