Sources: Leeds Utd battling Leicester for Spanish striker who’s putting €120m Man Utd target to shame

TEAMtalk staff 21 May 2023 11:40 AM

Leeds Utd and Leicester City are among four Premier League sides sizing up a Primeira Liga striker who’s outperforming a €120m Man Utd target, TEAMtalk understands.

The Portuguese Primeira Liga has become a fertile hunting ground for Premier League clubs in recent seasons. Some of England’s biggest transfers have come from Portugal, with Bruno Fernandes, Ruben Dias, Darwin Nunez and Enzo Fernandez just four recent examples.

However, while that quartet all joined traditional ‘big six’ clubs, TEAMtalk has learned those further down the table are eyeing a piece of the Portuguese action.

Indeed, we understand scouts from Leicester, Fulham, Brentford and Leeds Utd have been checking on Gil Vicente striker, Fran Navarro.

The 25-year-old Spaniard joined Gil Vicente on a three-year deal from Valencia back in 2021. He remains on that same contract and as such, is poised to enter the final 12 months of his deal.

Since making the move, Navarro has operated at roughly a goal every other game across all competitions.

His current tally stands at 36 goals in 76 appearances and in terms of league form, he’s vastly outperformed higher profile strikers including Benfica’s Goncalo Ramos.

Ramos has been heavily linked with Man Utd in the event they’re unable to land Harry Kane or Victor Osimhen.

The Portugal international holds a release clause worth €120m in his contract that A Bola claimed Man Utd are prepared to pay if they must.

Ramos has 25 Primeira Liga goals over the last two seasons compared to Navarro’s 28. Clearly, Navarro is not a player who should be taken lightly.

In lieu of his two brilliant years in the city of Barcelos, we understand Navarro is coming under the microscope at Leeds, Leicester, Brentford and Fulham.

Leeds and Leicester’s chances of securing a summer coup will largely hinge on whether they beat the drop.