Report: Leeds United set to beat Premier League competition to U18 international
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?
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.