Leeds United are set to sign Chievo Verona goalkeeper Elia Caprile, according to L’Arena.
The Italy U18 international is out of contract at the Serie B side in the summer, though no new deal has yet to been discussed for the teenage talent who emerged through the outfit’s youth ranks.
Caprile has not yet featured in a first-team fixture for Chievo, but has been named among the substitutes six times in the Italian second-tier this term and was listed on 13 Serie A teamsheets in 2018/19.
The young ‘keeper has continued to double his duties as the reserve to on-loan shot-stopper Adrian Semper with outings in the Primavera, where Caprile has kept two clean sheets in 13 matches this season – coming against SS Lazio and Torino.
It is suggested that we are ‘close’ to finalising a deal for Caprile to join our youth ranks, although it is not specified whether this will occur in the winter market or be put on hold until the 18-year-old becomes a free agent in the summer.
Do we need to sign a first-team goalkeeper in January?
Yes
No
What is stated, though, is that Caprile already ‘has a foot and a half on the plane to Leeds,’ despite interest from Premier League side Norwich City.
The Canaries have scouted Caprile for a long time but seem set to lose out in their efforts to secure his services, as it is we who lead the charge at present.
Caprile joining the youth set-up at Thorp Arch would likely see him join Kamil Miazek and Harrison Male in our Under 23s, as the 6 ft 3 Italian turns 19 on August 25.
In other Leeds United news, the club have named their price for an in-demand 24-year-old, set to leave Elland Road in January.