Leeds United transfer headlines: Whites 5/2 FAVOURITES to sign winger, £13.5m midfielder deal OFF, defender latest

FLORENCE, ITALY - FEBRUARY 22: Erick Pulgar of ACF Fiorentina takes a penalty shot to score the equalizing goal during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and AC Milan at Stadio Artemio Franchi on February 22, 2020 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

Here’s a round-up of the stories making the headlines today from Leeds United, Sheffield United, Brighton, Burnley and their top-flight rivals:

Cold water poured on “serious” Leeds United move

According to reports in Italy, Leeds United were “serious” about a move for Fiorentina midfielder Erick Pulgar

La Nazione, an Italian newspaper, claimed that the Serie A club would be satisfied with a fee of around £13.5m for the South American.

However, cold water has been poured on that particular rumour by The Athletic, who claim the Whites are unlikely to complete a deal for Pulgar

Graham Potter outlines defender plans

RB Leipzig, Brentford and Leeds United have all been linked with a move 18-year-old Brighton central defender Hayden Roberts.

Despite Marcelo Bielsa’s side launching a second bid of £800,000 for the youngster, head coach Potter says Roberts is a player the club believes in.

“He’s quite a quiet guy. He believes in himself a lot," he said. "He’s self-confident but knows he has still got some work to do in terms of how he is developing.

“That’s just normal because of his age but he’s ambitious, he’s confident and he wants to play. He has trained with us for a long time now and I’m looking forward to helping him take the next step, which is to be on the pitch for us and play games.

“It’s obviously not so easy. We have got some good competition in that position. He’s a young player we believe in.”

Leeds United and Burnley transfer odds shift

Leeds United are now favourites to sign Manchester United winger Daniel James. SkyBet are offering odds of 5/2 on the winger finally making the move to Elland Road.

Meanwhile, Burney have crept ahead of the Whites in the race to sign Liverpool attacker Harry Wilson. SkyBet have the Clarets priced at 6/4, with Leeds at 7/2.

Burnley handed James Tarkowski boost

James Tarkowski has been linked with making a Turf Moor exit all summer - with West Ham and Leicester City keen on securing the £50m-rated defender’s signature

However, Hammers owner David Sullivan has given a revealing interview on the London club’s transfer policy - and hinted West Ham ARE NOT willing to meet Burnley’s loft valuation.

“We have got limited funds; if we had £400m to spend and someone said you spend 10 per cent of it – £40m – on a 28-year-old centre-back from a Premier League club who will remain nameless, at £40m you’d probably get the player out.

“For 10 per cent of your budget, it would probably make sense but to spend your entire budget on a 28-year-old centre-back…

“We’ve also got the fact we’ll probably get no gate money for the rest of the season and we’ve got to keep the club afloat and pay wages.”

Sheffield United eye striker

Sheffield United are hopeful of signing Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun, with reports suggesting the Blades are ‘in conversation’ with the Gunners.

Chris Wilder’s side are said to have had a bid in the region of £3m rejected for Balogun.

However, they remain keen, and believe Arsenal may be willing to sell with no new contract on the table for the youngster.