Report details Florentino Luis asking price, amid Leeds and Manchester United links

Add as preferred source on Google

Leeds United are reportedly rivalling a whole host of big European clubs and bitter enemies Manchester United for Benfica anchor Florentino Luis this summer – and the latest report has detailed his enormous price tag.

Marcelo Bielsa is on the verge of delivering Leeds back into the Premier League, 16 years after being relegated amid a financial collapse in 2004. With football set to restart, they sit top of the Championship with nine games left.

High-calibre players are expected to be linked with Leeds over the next few months and Portugal Under-21 international Florentino is certainly that – given he played in the Champions League this season for Benfica.

Nicknamed ‘O Polvo’, or ‘The Octopus’, ESPN claim Leeds and Manchester United as well as Bayer Leverkusen, Real Betis and AC Milan are after him. Now, CalcioMercato say he could cost between £27million and £36million.

TBR’s view – Far too expensive for Leeds, but is there hope?

A glimmer, yes. Leeds are unlikely to bring Florentino to Elland Road unless they fail to keep Kalvin Phillips. Not only would Leeds be unlikely to spend big on a player that may not start, but Phillips is also unlikely to leave.

Florentino could only be signed if Leeds are in the top tier, while Phillips would only leave if Leeds fail to gain promotion. Even with promotion, his asking price is out of Leeds’ reach.

But ESPN do claim that clubs can sign the Portugal Under-21 international on a loan-to-buy deal and that might just give Bielsa a chance to sign the highly-rated midfielder.