Leeds told to pay £22.5m for top Bielsa target who “has everything”, Madrid also keen – report

Leeds United will certainly be in the market for a new centre-back during the summer, irrespective what division they’ll be competing in next season and emerging reports have linked the club with one in particular.

According to Sport Witness, the Yorkshire giants are targeting a move for River Plate’s Lucas Martinez Quarta with Marcelo Bielsa a long-time admirer of the player.

The 24-year-old is, however, considered one of their stars of the future and subsequently, the Argentine outfit have slapped a €25m (£22.5m) price tag on his head.

Quarta made his international debut earlier in the season, where he partnered Man City centre-back Nicolas Otamendi – helping their side to a clean sheet against Chile.

As per WhoScored, the 6-foot colossus has averaged 3.6 clearances, 1.8 tackles, 1.7 interceptions and even 0.9 shots per game. He’s also providing 55.5 passes with each appearance.

TyC Sports have linked the defender to Real Madrid as well as other European giants such as Dortmund, Ajax and AC Milan whilst Pep Guardiola’s side have been mooted too.

Meanwhile, Quarta’s agent believes he has “everything you need” to play for a top club, he said: “I am convinced that he has everything you need to stand out even on the Old Continent and at any top club.”

With Ben White set to return to parent club Brighton and Gaetano Berardi likely to depart following the end of his contract, Bielsa will need to bolster that backline if they are to have much success in the top-flight.

Clinching a player from the grasp of some of Europe’s elite teams would be one way to make a statement, that’s for sure.