NafisaLeeds United have finished their pre-season preparations in emphatic fashion, putting four goals past Augsburg on Saturday as Daniel Farke’s side continued to build momentum ahead of their Premier League opener against Nottingham Forest next weekend.
The 4-0 victory brought the Whites’ preparations to a close on a hugely encouraging note, but attention will now quickly switch back towards the transfer market.
Leeds still have work to do before the window closes, with further additions wanted in key areas and several players expected to move on from Elland Road.
One of the most pressing situations involves Lucas Perri, whose departure could finally be approaching after weeks of uncertainty.
Torino regain advantage in Lucas Perri race
Leeds have already agreed a deal to sign Nico Elvedi from Borussia Monchengladbach, with Sebastiaan Bornauw expected to leave the club and join Hamburg.
The Whites are also hoping to strengthen their attack, although Joel Piroe’s future needs to be resolved before another striker can arrive.
But another outgoing deal could now move considerably quicker.
Lucas Perri has been expected to leave Leeds since the arrival of James Trafford, with Torino and Marseille emerging as the two leading contenders for his signature.
Torino had appeared to be on course to complete the deal last week, only for Marseille to make a late attempt to hijack the transfer.
However, according to Foot Mercato, Torino have now regained the advantage after holding further discussions with Perri and his representatives.
The Serie A club are also prepared to improve their initial proposal, which was understood to involve a loan move with an option to buy worth around £9.5 million.
Torino are reportedly confident of reaching a final agreement with both Leeds and the player and are planning to put Perri through his medical on Monday.
If everything goes according to plan, the Brazilian could then complete his move to Italy.
Leeds United need Perri situation resolved
The goalkeeper’s departure has been on the cards for some time, particularly following Trafford’s arrival as Leeds’ new first-choice goalkeeper.
Perri and Torino had been waiting for Trafford’s move from Manchester City to be completed before being able to make significant progress themselves.
With Trafford now firmly installed at Elland Road, the path was effectively cleared for Perri to leave.
Marseille’s late intervention, however, has created another complication.
Perri now has a decision to make, with both clubs offering him a route away from Yorkshire.
For Leeds, there is an obvious reason why they will want the situation concluded as quickly as possible.
The club need clarity over their goalkeeping department before they can properly move forward with their own recruitment plans.
Trafford is clearly the number one, but Leeds still need an adequate deputy for the England international ahead of a long and demanding Premier League campaign.
Every additional day spent waiting for Perri to choose his next destination potentially delays that process.
More Leeds departures could follow
Perri is unlikely to be the only player heading out of Elland Road before the transfer window closes.
Bornauw is expected to depart after just one season with the club, while Piroe is also keen on finding a new opportunity after falling down the pecking order.
There are also question marks surrounding Wilfried Gnonto, meaning Farke could potentially see several members of his squad leave before the deadline.
At the same time, Leeds remain keen to strengthen their attacking options.
That makes the next couple of weeks particularly important for the Whites.
The club have already conducted some major business this summer, with Trafford, Elvedi and other additions giving Farke a stronger squad than the one that comfortably secured Premier League survival last season.
But the manager still wants further improvements.
For now, though, the immediate priority appears to be clearing the decks.
And with Torino reportedly preparing to put Perri through his medical on Monday, Leeds could finally be close to getting one of their most complicated summer transfer situations resolved.
Nafisa
