Leeds step up interest in Torino midfielder Sasa Lukic according to report

Leeds United are reported to have stepped up their interest in Torino midfielder Sasa Lukic, according to Italian outlet Tutto Mercato.

The whites have been keen on bringing in another central midfielder throughout the window, and have turned to the 24-year old Serbian following Connor Gallagher’s decision to move to Crystal Palace.

The Whites have also had a bid rejected - thought to be around £3m - for Huddersfield Town midfielder Lewis O’Brien. Although most people are expecting Leeds to go back in with an improved bid.

Club officials are due to meet with representatives of the Turin based club later this week to discuss a potential deal, with the desired fee thought to be around £8.5m.

Lukic, who joined Torino from Levante back in 2016 and has a contract with the club until 2024, has played a pivotal role in his side’s battle to survive relegation from Serie A last season, featuring in 32 of the club’s 38 league games. The Serbian has made just over 100 appearances for Torino and has been capped 18 times for his country.

A combative central midfielder, Lukic can play comfortably in defensive midfield as well as taking on a more box-to-box role. He will likely provide competition for Mateusz Klich and Stuart Dallas for the number-eight position, with Marcelo Bielsa seemingly opting for Robin Koch to push into the deeper role in the absence of Phillips.

Whilst far from prolific, the Serb can push on and score goals when the time is right. He bagged three league goals in as many games last autumn. They were, however, his only goals all season.

Lukic has attracted plenty of Premier League attention already this year, with Tottenham Hotspur interested back in March, although they were reportedly quoted a fee of over £10m. Crystal Palace were thought to have had a bid rejected in January, although the value of that bid is unknown.

Both sides, as well as Spartak Moscow, are still interested in the midfielder.