Report: Leeds set to make first signing of January with medical scheduled over weekend

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Italian outlet TuttoMercatoWeb have claimed that Leeds United are set to make their first signing of the January transfer window over the weekend, with Italian goalkeeper Elia Caprile pencilled in for a medical.

Caprile, 18, has slipped to third choice at Serie B side Chievo despite featuring on the substitutes bench 13 times in Serie A last season. Adrian Semper and Michele Nardi are both considered above Caprile in the pecking order.

An Italy Under-18 international, Caprile has plenty of promise but he needs to be playing at a higher level than reserve-team football in Italy. Certainly in England, second-string football is a much better standard.

Leeds currently boast Kiko Casilla and Illan Meslier as the first two options – the latter only on loan but said to cost around £5million to sign permanently. Will Huffer and Kamil Miazek are still contracted to Leeds.

But the report claims Caprile is now on his way to Yorkshire with a medical scheduled over the weekend, and a four-and-a-half-year deal on the table. He is expected to be Leeds’ first signing of the window.

TBR’s view – Does Caprile have a realistic route into first team?

Casilla is certainly ageing and of course is under investigation by The FA. However, he has been in excellent form for the majority of the 2019-20 campaign and he certainly remains the club’s undisputed number one stopper.

Meslier made his debut against Arsenal and looked excellent – with many fans begging he is signed permanently. But if Caprile can make himself third choice, then he certainly has a chance of breaking through with suspension and injury common.