According to Italian outlet Tutto Calcio Puglia, Leeds owner Andrea Radrizzani is the United figure behind the Whites’ efforts to sign Virtus Francavilla Calcio midfielder Michael Folorunsho.
It is noted that the 21-year-old’s time with the Italian third-tier side is nearing its end, as he is destined for other shores after Virtus received multiple enquiries into the £225,000-rated talent’s availability following the end of the Italian domestic season.
Tutto Calcio Puglia do not suggest that it would necessarily be us who the midfielder joins, as other Italian outfits have been linked with Folorunsho lately, but do claim we are ‘on pole’ to land his signature given the efforts of our owner, who has the rising star at the top of his summer shortlist.
As well as our interest, though, Tutto Calcio Puglia have echoed a Corriere dello Sport report from earlier in the month that suggested Genoa and AC Perugia Calcio were keen on the central midfielder.
It was even claimed Cesare Prandelli’s Genoa would be an attractive destination for Folorunsho, who could be enticed into making the sudden leap from the Italian third-tier to the top-flight.
Stadio San Nicola natives SSC Bari have also been linked with the Italian by Antenna Sud, after it emerged manager Matteo Scala had sought to exchange information with Virtus over the Lazio product’s availability.
While Folorunsho was cast off by Lazio in 2017 after two years in their academy, the Rome-born midfielder exploded in the Serie C – C during the 2018/19 campaign, to make 31 appearances in the regular season, where he scored seven goals and laid on one assist.
His best record in front of the goal before last term came back in the 2015/16 campaign while in I Biancocelesti’s academy, striking the back of the net three times and recording three assists in the Primavera C.