Report: Leeds United linked Jordan Lukaku off transfer list after impressive weight loss

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Leeds United have recently found themselves heavily linked with a move to sign Belgian defender Jordan Lukaku from Lazio. 

Il Messaggero is reporting that both Leeds and Brighton have bid €5 million (£4.6m) for the younger brother of Inter Milan striker Romelu Lukaku. 

It follows a report from the end of last month from the same outlet that one of Andrea Radrizzani’s closest aides had asked Lazio about the availability of the attacking full-back. 

Of course, plenty of Leeds fans have taken the news with a pinch of salt, considering the rumours are mostly being pushed from the Italian capital and not West Yorkshire. 

But even if Leeds were keen, it now seems that Lukaku is not for sale. 

The reason why is perhaps one which would have endeared Lukaku to Marcelo Bielsa in the scenario where Leeds did snap him up. 

As reported by TuttoMercatoWeb, Lazio boss Simone Inzaghi has been left impressed by Lukaku’s desire to work his way back into the starting XI. It is suggested the Belgian has lost eight kilograms in weight and got himself into some of the best shape of his career. 

Considering how Bielsa shaved the pounds off his players when he first arrived at Leeds, and heaped big demands on new recruits like Jamal Blackman and Jean-Kevin Augustin in the past, Lukaku would have likely adapted well to the Argentine’s methods. 

It is claimed Lazio are likely to keep him unless a bid that is considered irrefusable arrives, considering Lukaku’s contract expires next summer.

But, if Leeds’ interest in Lukaku was serious, it now seems to be verging on irrelevant as Lazio move Lukaku away from the shop window.