Leeds United interest in Nicolás González was 'very serious' says Stuttgart's sporting director who claims move is currently unlikely

Speaking to local media earlier today, Mislintat confirmed that the Whites had been in talks over the 22-year-old forward, who scored 14 times last season to help his side to earn promotion to the Bundesliga.

But at no point did the German club come close to selling, he claims, and at present the player appears likely to stay at the Mercedes-Benz Arena.

"I don't see [a departure] coming for now," said Mislintat.

"We had a lot of rumours in the beginning. It was very serious with Leeds. But at no point it was really convincing for him or for us."

The youngster has another three years left on his contract but has attracted interest from a number of major European clubs.

He arrived in Germany from Argentinos Jrs two years ago, costing £7.65m and reports earlier this summer suggested a bid of at least double that would be required to bring him to England.

González came off the bench in yesterday's 3-0 friendly defeat by Liverpool, Leeds' first opponents of the new Premier League season.

The Whites have brought Jack Harrison back on loan from Manchester City and added youngsters for the Under 23s but are yet to bring in any of their top transfer targets. Unsuccessful bids have been made for Brighton defender Ben White, who spent last season on loan at Elland Road and played a big part in their title-winning success, and Rangers attacker Ryan Kent.

They remain interested in Ollie Watkins of Brentford and SC Freiburg defender Robin Koch, who was mentioned as a possible transfer target by director of football Victor Orta in an interview with the YEP back in January."I’ll give you an example, Koch playing at his level now is really difficult for the Championship, it is another level," he said, discussing the work of his scouting department.

"But we are always evaluating because perhaps, in a moment, he could be available. Or we could get into another league and then he could be available."

Arsenal striker and former Sunderland youngster Sam Greenwood is thought to be close to a move to Elland Road. If they get it over the line, the 18-year-old would join Cody Drameh, Charlie Allen and Joe Gelhardt in bolstering the 23s and linking up with the first team in training. Greenwood can play out wide or as an attacking midfielder, has shown he can link the play and displayed a work ethic that would stand him in good stead at Thorp Arch. In his first season with the Gunners he helped them lift the Southern Section title and last season he played a number of times for their Under 23s as well as training on occasion with the seniors.