Leeds United are moving with intent in the market, and the latest name refusing to go away is Oumar Solet. According to TuttoMercatoWeb, Leeds are still pressing for the Udinese centre-back even with Tarik Muharemović nearing arrival. That matters, because it tells you this is not contingency planning, it is squad building.
The key point is simple. Leeds do not appear to see Muharemović and Solet as alternatives. They see them as separate pieces of the same defensive reset. For a promoted side, or any side trying to stabilise, that is sensible. Depth at centre-back disappears quickly over a long season, especially when exits remain possible.
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Oumar Solet Deal Makes Sense for Leeds United
Udinese are said to want €25m for Solet, with part of that fee heading to Juventus. That is a serious number, and Leeds will need to decide whether the player is worth paying at near-premium level. At 26, Solet is no development project. He would be expected to improve the back line immediately, physically and positionally.
Leeds have reasons to keep shopping. Pascal Struijk has gone to Brighton, while Maximilian Wöber is expected to move on and Sebastiaan Bornauw has long had uncertainty around his future. Suddenly, what looked like acceptable cover becomes thin very quickly.
Udinese Transfer Stance Leaves Leeds Decision
There is still no clear sign Leeds will meet the €25m asking price, but the persistence is notable. Clubs do not keep circling unless they believe there is a route to a deal, whether through structure, timing or pressure later in the window.
So this looks straightforward. Leeds want another centre-back, Udinese know his value, and Solet remains firmly on the shortlist. If Leeds are serious about avoiding another season of instability at the back, this is exactly the sort of deal they should be examining hard.
Our View
From a Leeds perspective, this feels like common sense. Too often, supporters see one incoming defender and are told the job…
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