Leeds United head coach Thomas Christiansen says bringing in a defender is now his priority ahead of the new season.
The new head coach has seen nine new arrivals at Elland Road this summer, with three coming in the last week.
Leeds have lost full-back Charlie Taylor to Burnley this summer and central defender Kyle Bartley returned to Swansea City after a successful season on loan at Elland Road last season.
Pontus Jansson has arrived on a permanent deal after his successful loan last season but Leeds remain short in defence with Liam Cooper the only experienced defender currently at the club available to partner Jansson with Giuseppe Bellusci set to leave the club.
Christiansen says that whilst he knows the area is a priority, he will not sign a defender for the sake of bringing in a player in that area, and they must be right for the club.
“We do need to strengthen in the defence. That is a priority now,” Christiansen told the Yorkshire Post.
“We have been working to try and do the best signings that we can across the whole team.
“I do not want us to sign in desperation, someone who is not better than what we have.”
Bellusci is expected to sort out a deal away from Elland Road before the squad return from their tour of Austria next Sunday.
Bellusci return to Leeds this summer after spending last season on loan at Empoli. He featured in the pre-season friendlies with Harrogate Town and Guiseley but he has been told his future lies away from Elland Road and he didn`t travel with the squad to Austria.
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