Report: Leeds set to beat Norwich City to signing of 18-year-old Elia Caprile

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Italian outlet L’Arena have claimed that Leeds United are set to complete their first signing of the January transfer window by beating Norwich City to the signing of Chievo teenager Elia Caprile.

Caprile, 18, is a goalkeeper that has come through Chievo’s ranks and has appeared on the Serie B side’s substitute bench six times this season. Last season, with the club still in Serie A, Caprile was seen on the bench 13 times.

An Italy Under-18 international, Caprile has been forced to watch from the sidelines with Chievo as third-choice stopper behind Dinamo Zagreb loanee Adrian Sempera and experienced goalkeeper Michele Nardi. He is yet to make a senior outing.

But his performances for Chievo’s second string has caught the eye – clocking up 40 in total. The report claims Leeds have beaten Norwich to Caprile’s signature, and the 6ft 3in colossus has a ‘foot and a half’ on the plane and is ‘free to go’.

TBR’s view – Caprile could become second choice next season

That is because Illan Meslier remains only on loan from Lorient. The Frenchman made his debut for Leeds on Monday evening against Arsenal and impressed many with a number of saves and some excellent distribution.

But the French stopper is only on loan and it is likely to take quite a substantial fee to land him permanently. What is clear, though, is that Marcelo Bielsa does not trust either Will Huffer or Kamil Miazek.

Signing Caprile this month, then, could see the Italy youth international become second choice behind Kiko Casilla if Meslier does leave at the end of his loan – though there is a permanent clause in his contract.