If a report from Italian outlet Calciomercato is believed to be true, Leeds United are likely to step up the chase for Sasa Lukic once this World Cup campaign is over. But they are not alone in the hunt with AS Roma keeping close eyes on the Torino midfielder.
The 26-year-old Serbia international is currently representing his nation in Qatar. He operated in a box-to-box role against Brazil and Cameroon, and his flexibility in the centre of the pitch has impressed the Leeds scouts who are keen on bringing reinforcements to replace their fringe stars. Adam Forshaw might not be retained beyond next summer, whereas the gametime of Mateusz Klich has been limited of late since Jesse Marsch’s appointment as the Elland Road boss.
Why Leeds United Need Midfield Reinforcements
The Whites secured the services of Marc Roca and Tyler Adams who have been exquisite as the ‘double pivot’ deep down the midfield. They needed a boost following Kalvin Phillips’ transfer to Manchester City and the newly-recruited pair have done a commanding job with their finesse and work ethics.
Having said that, Leeds United should aim for depth as well as quality to maintain their top-flight status. They have revived their form after a dreadful spell, but the manager needs to ensure a similar run of results to restore stability as a Premier League outfit. The ageing midfield of Klich, Forshaw and Stuart Dallas must be replaced with young and dynamic names in the long run and the process of reconstruction has already been initiated with some exciting additions.
Why Lukic Would Be A Smart Coup
Lukic progressed through the academy ranks of Partizan before being loaned out to Teleoptik for first-team experience. He featured regularly for the Opticians and his emergence eventually earned him a regular status at his parent club.
Although he was roped in by Torino back in the summer of 2016, the Serie A side loaned him out to Levente after a slow start to life in Italy. But the Serbian midfield star kept showcasing his composure in the middle of the park as he is now a regular for both club and country across competitions. With 163 Il Toro appearances, Lukic is now on the radar of the English club. While his contract in Turin runs until June 2024, Torino are likely to welcome a formal offer in order to make a significant financial profit in due course of time.
