Report: Leeds in talks over 23-year-old Brazilian with ‘pace, technique, strength, and personality’

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Leeds United have reportedly been in talks over Luiz Felipe, according to La Lazio Siamo Noi.

Links between the Elland Road side and the Biancocelesti defender emerged on Wednesday, with Il Messaggero claiming the Whites had asked about five of their players.

Now, La Lazio Siamo Noi reported on Thursday morning that talks between Leeds and the Italian side over Felipe had “accelerated” in recent hours.

Andrea Radrizzani’s intermediary, Lorenzo Tonetti, has been in touch with Lazio sporting director Igli Tare, and is ready to submit a €30million (£27million) bid, claims the report.

However, club president Claudio Lotito reportedly wants another €7million to €8million, which would work out as up to around £34million for Leeds to have to pay.

In addition, Lazio are reportedly hoping to trigger a bidding war for the 23-year-old.

Felipe has been with Lazio since 2016 when he joined from Brazil’s Ituano, and has made 86 competitive appearances for the Italian capital outfit, including 30 in all competitions last season.

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Felipe has emerged as a rising star in Italian football, though the makings of a top talent have been there for a while.

Giuseppe Sannino, his former coach at loan club Salernitana, previously told Tuttomercatoweb, as translated by The Laziali: “He amazed me with his personality and his flexibility in different roles.

“We played with three at the back similar to Lazio, and he played anywhere I needed him to in the backline – left, central, or right. With me, Luiz Felipe even played in a five-man defense. He has pace, technique, strength, and personality.”

Versatility is key to Bielsa’s style of football, and with Ben White seemingly set to sign a long-term deal at Brighton, it looks as though Felipe could be a great alternative.