Leeds United may be well in the hunt for automatic promotion to the Premier League, but it seems as if Marcelo Bielsa is already casting one eye over the summer transfer window.

The Whites have already been linked with the signature of Bilbao midfielder Ander Iturraspe and Queens Park Rangers talisman Luke Freeman, with Nottingham Forest loanee Yohan Benalouane the latest name to be linked with a move to Elland Road.

The Tunisian became Martin O’Neill’s first signing since taking the reins off Aitor Karanka at the City Ground, and has since become a regular under the Irishman since his loan switch from Leicester City.

But the 31-year old's form hasn't gone unnoticed, with reports claiming that both Leeds and top-flight side Cardiff City are interested in landing the towering defender in the summer.

Here, we take a look at Benalouane’s stats from this season, to see whether his performances justify a potential step-up to the Premier League with Leeds United next term...

Benalouane has become a very popular figure at the City Ground since his January move, especially after scoring the winner against arch rivals Derby County last month.

But defenders are there to defend, and the 31-year old has forged a solid partnership with Alex Milosevic in defence over the last couple of months. In 10 appearances, the Tunisian has made an average of 5.9 clearances per game, and won an average of 5.4 aerial duels per game too.

Playing out from the back is a key component in O'Neill's side, and is also a huge factor in the way that Bielsa likes his Leeds side to play too - and his stats suggest that he would be a perfect fit next to the likes of Pontus Jansson or Liam Cooper.

The defender has accrued a pass success rate of 63.7% from 34.2 passes per game on average, 3.7 of those being a long ball.

Benalouane has improved Forest's defence since his switch to the East Midlands, but he also brings a lot more to the team in terms of possession and build-up play, and could be a very smart addition at Elland Road...