Leeds United have opened discussions with Sporting Lisbon about a possible transfer of their Portuguese defender, Tobias Figueiredo. According to recent reports, the Peacocks are keen on bringing Figueiredo to Elland Road when the transfer window opens next month. The defender has just featured in four matches for Sporting CP in all competitions this season and the Portuguese club are open to let the centre-back leave in January.
A report in Portuguese news outlet A Bola, claim that Leeds United will secure the services of the 23-year-old for a fee in the region of £2.6m (€3m) and £3.5m (€4m). The centre-back came through the ranks at Sporting Lisbon and has gone on to play for the Spanish club, Reus and the Portuguese club, Nacional during his career.
Figueiredo represented his country, Portugal at the 2016 Olympic Games and played in every match in the tournament before suffering the agony of elimination in the quarter-finals. The Yorkshire club has set their sights on European markets after Andrea Radrizzani took full charge of the enterprise from Massimo Cellino.
Leeds United’s head coach Thomas Christiansen has disclosed that the club has already begun preparations for the January transfer dealings last month before they make a push for playoff spots going into the second half of the season. He told the media,
“We are working with Victor [Orta, director of football] and Andrea to see where we can improve,”
“We are looking at all the areas, of course, we have to reply on the pitch. We have time still, I expect that we will turn the situation for better and then we will see if it is necessary to bring anybody.”
Figueiredo has made 48 appearances for the Sporting Lisbon B team and scored a goal during his time over there. The defender then moved on to the Sporting Lisbon senior squad where he made a total of 29 appearances and scored 4 goals. He has also represented his nation Portugal at every youth level which helped him gain a lot of international experience.
The 23-year-old has played in a lot of games in Portuguese football but the jury’s out whether he can make a smooth transition to English football. However, Leeds United will be acquiring a defender with bags of potential and his talents may help their chances of securing a playoff spot at the end of the season.
It remains to be seen whether the Peacocks will place an official bid for the player in January.