Leeds United have been handed a boost in their pursuit of a reported summer transfer target.
The Whites have already been linked with a number of potential incomings ahead of the window re-opening in the coming weeks, even with it still uncertain what division they will be in.
Leeds’ automatic promotion hopes almost solely rely on Coventry City defeating Ipswich Town this evening, with any avoidance of defeat putting second place in the Tractor Boys’ hands going into the final day.
Both sides currently sit level on 90 points with Daniel Farke’s men only ahead on goal difference, but it is firmly advantage Ipswich with their game in hand, and Huddersfield Town at home Saturday.
Leeds would still, of course, have a second shot at promotion via the play-offs, though former manager Martin O’Neill believes it would be difficult to overcome the disappointment of missing out on top two.
With that said, in the event Leeds do get promoted, they have already been linked with a few exciting names, including a potential return for Kalvin Phillips and Borussia Monchengladbach’s Luca Netz.
Leeds target Koni De Winter could be available for £17m
Centre-back would almost certainly be a position Leeds need at least two additions in this summer, regardless of the division they are in.
Liam Cooper looks set to leave at the end of his contract, while Charlie Cresswell surely will not stand for another season of practically no game time.
Joe Rodon looks almost certain to make his move permanent, but one fresh name they have been linked with is Genoa’s Koni De Winter.
De Winter has been on loan at Genoa from Juventus this season and saw his move converted into a permanent deal for just £6.8 million earlier this month.
But according to journalist Sacha Tavolieri, De Winter could still actually be available this summer, with the Serie A side reportedly willing to listen to offers for just over double what they paid.
A fee of around £17 million could be enough to get a deal done, which would be a good price for someone with his potential, having just recently been capped by Belgium.
Who is Leeds target Koni De Winter?
De Winter is still just 21-years-old but already has a couple of seasons of Serie A football under his belt, having been at Empoli last season prior to Genoa.
Until Genoa converted his move into a permanent one, he had been at Juventus since the age of 16 but managed just two appearances for their first team.
De Winter actually won his first cap for Belgium over the course of the most recent March international break, playing 64 minutes of their 0-0 draw with Republic of Ireland.
Clearly De Winter is a highly rated young centre-back but there is clearly plenty of work on and off the pitch for Leeds to do before this becomes a realistic possibility.
