Leeds United are considering a move to sign promising Benfica defender Branimir Kalaica in the summer transfer window, according to the Football Insider.

The Whites look very well placed to finally end their wait for a return to the Premier League during the final weeks of the campaign, with Marcelo Bielsa’s side still sitting top of the table and holding a six point cushion over third placed Brentford, despite losing at Cardiff City and being held by Luton Town since the restart.

Leeds, though, will be needing to add to their squad in the summer whatever division they happen to be playing in, with the heart of their defence a key area that will need adding to. Kalaica has delivered some impressive performance for both Benfica’s B team and the Croatian Under-21s over throughout this campaign.

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It is thought that the Whites have been impressed with the defender’s progress and that they could be ready to offer him the chance to make a break through into first team football in a top European league – and they could face competition from the likes of Celtic and Watford for his signature.

The verdict

This would appear to be a very promising addition for Leeds were they to bring in Kalaica from Benfica this summer, although it would be something of a gamble to rely on the defender to come straight into the side and help them potentially survive in the Premier League.

Benfica, though, is a club that has been renowned for producing some exceptional talent over the last few years, with the likes of Victor Lindelof and Joao Felix going onto earn big money moves to the likes of Manchester United and Atletico Madrid – and Leeds could have found the next one of their production line,

Leeds will have a real challenge on their hands to replace the talents of Brighton loanee Ben White at the heart of their defence next term, but Bielsa is known for his ability to improve players on the training ground and you would back him to do that with Kalaica were he to arrive at Elland Road.