West Ham are reportedly set to beat Leeds United and a host of other clubs to the signing of a South American winger.
Crystal Palace, Leicester City and Rangers are also said to be in the race but it is the Hammers who are at the front of the queue.
Leeds are in desperate need of adding some star quality to their wide options this summer based on the speculation that is mounting around the likes of Crysencio Summerville and Willy Gnonto. Jaidon Anthony has also gone back to Bournemouth.
Summerville is widely expected to depart Elland Road amid interest from several Premier League sides, while Gnonto has also been linked with a return to Italy.
With an asking price of £30 million for the former, Leeds should have some decent cash to spend on a potential replacement, of which needs to be significant quality.
Leeds make offer for Fluminense star Jhon Arias
At this stage, it remains uncertain what sort of budget Daniel Farke will have to spend this summer, though Paraag Marathe has insisted funds will be available.
One thing is for sure, Leeds are not going to be able to replace Summerville on the cheap after a stellar season that saw him crowned the Championship’s POTS.
And according to RTI Esporte, Leeds are said to have made an offer worth in the region of £12.7 million for Fluminense attacker Jhon Arias.
Arias is a player Leeds have been linked with for a number of months now, with reports emerging back in October that he was someone on the radar at the club.
However, as per the report, it is West Ham who are currently leading the race with their proposal ‘superior’ to the other interested clubs, with negotiations at an ‘advanced stage’.
Arias dubbed the ‘most creative’ player in Brazil
Arias is currently in the Colombia squad alongside former Leeds winger Luis Sinisterra ready to represent his country at the upcoming Copa America.
He also started and scored in a 5-1 win friendly win over Brenden Aaronson’s USA last week, who is set to be part of Leeds’ squad for next season.
Arias is the sort of player who would seemingly be able to fill the void left by Summerville, with Diario AS having described him as the ‘most creative‘ player in Brazilian footballer.
Across 59 appearances in all competitions for Fluminense last season, he scored 11 goals and provided 17 assists.