According to Tutto Mercato Web, Leeds United are in the market for Sasa Lukic. The Torino midfielder is considered to be untouchable by his club, but the Premier League outfit are confident that a deal could be struck. They are expected to initiate negotiations as early as next week, with Spartak Moscow also interested in his services.
Who Is Sasa Lukic?
A product of the Partizan youth academy, Sasa Lukic has enjoyed a lot of success since his 2016 move to Italy. He initially had a slow start to his career at Torino and had to spend a season on loan at Levante. But since returning to Turin in 2018, the midfielder has gradually become a key player for the club.
Lukic became a first-team regular under Walter Mazzari during the 2019/20 campaign, featuring in 30 league encounters. Overall, the Serbian has notched up 113 competitive appearances for Torino, scoring six goals.
A central midfielder by trade, the 24-year-old is a dynamic operator in the middle of the park. He is known for his ability to play quick, counter-attacking football, making good use of his minimal time on the ball.
Quite naturally, the former Levante starlet brings a lot of energy and aggression to the table. He has lately improved his attacking play as well, often driving forward with the ball to influence the final third, which is why the new Torino coach Ivan Juric is desperate to retain his services this summer.
How Does He Fit In At Elland Road?
Leeds United‘s interest in Sasa Lukic is hardly surprising, as the club are in desperate need of reinforcements in the midfield unit. The departure of Pablo Hernandez has left a void in the creative department while leaving Mateusz Klich and Stuart Dallas as the only viable options in the advanced midfield positions.
That is where someone like Lukic could come in handy. His aggressive style of play and proficiency in a counter-attacking system goes hand in hand with Marcelo Bielsa’s tactical philosophy at Elland Road. Moreover, he brings considerable experience to the table having featured in 100 Serie A matches during his time at Torino.
From a sporting perspective, the 24-year-old should serve as an ideal alternative for Klich or Dallas in the advanced midfield role in Leeds United’s 4-1-4-1 or 3-3-3-1. But at the same time, the Serbian can be considered as a potential backup for Kalvin Phillips in the holding midfield position, as he has the experience of doing so.
Therefore, Sasa Lukic could indeed be a smart investment for Leeds United as they hope to add some much-needed depth in the midfield department this summer.