The Serie A club beat Leeds United, Everton and Real Madrid to the signing of the Bulgarian teenager

Crysencio Summerville, Willy Gnonto, Illan Meslier, Archie Gray, Ilia Gruev and others have been linked with the exit door at Elland Road, with Leeds forced to sell to pay their credit card bill.

But that means replacements will have to come in while maintaining profits. Leeds are likely to sign a few free agents, perhaps consider the loan market or sign players on the cheap and sell them on for more.

Since the exit of Victor Orta, the focus on the academy has not been very high. But Italian website Sport Mediaset say Leeds have targeted a 17-year-old Bulgarian defender plying his trade in Spanish football.

Leeds and Real Madrid miss out on the 17-year-old Bulgarian talent

Leeds have a number of young centre-backs on the books. Diogo Monteiro was signed from Servette in January 2023 and captains Portugal Under-19s but is yet to make a first-team breakthrough.

Kris Moore is also a talented option, while Charlie Cresswell looks set to leave. For a fee of £3m, French side Toulouse and German second-tier club Hannover are interested in the England Under-21 defender.

Leeds could be targeting a teenage centre-back, with Sport Mediaset claiming Leeds were one of the clubs interested in 17-year-old Cristian Nikolaev, who played for Alcorcon’s B team.

Nikolaev makes a big decision despite interest from Leeds this summer

However, to make his senior debut, the young Bulgarian made a decision amid huge interest. Along with Leeds, clubs such as Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Juventus and Everton were keen on Nikolaev.

But the Bulgarian has opted to join Serie A side Lecce, who finished 14th in Italy’s top flight last term. He may see an easier path into the first team ahead of the likes of Leeds and Madrid.