Leeds line up loan deal for Sporting star with a €60m buy-out

Hadi Sacko: In action for France

Hadi Sacko: In action for France

Sporting Lisbon star Hadi Sacko is set to join Leeds on a season-long loan after the player with a £50.2million release clause hooked up with the Whites on a pre-season training camp in Ireland.

Frenchman Sacko joined Sporting in a £1million move from Bordeaux two years ago, but has struggled to make an impact in Portugal, despite the club inserting a hefty €60m buy-out in his contract.

Sacko travelled to Ireland with Garry Monk’s squad on Sunday and is expected to sign for Leeds on a temporary basis later this week. He was pictured in a photo tweeted by United assistant boss Pep Clotet on Sunday.

Sacko is a versatile attacker who can play up front, as a winger or as an attacking midfielder. He was capped by France at various youth levels but has never made their senior squad.

The player spent a chunk of last season on loan with Sochaux and the club want him to gain more experience with another loan spell. The deal is thought to have been lined up by Clotet, who is believed to have a number of contacts in the Portuguese game.

Sacko is contracted to the club until the summer of 2020 and it is thought a loan deal to Elland Road will be finalised this week should he impress during this week’s training camp in Ireland.