Exclusive: Premier League-Bound Leeds Target Benfica’s Leandro Santos in Summer Swoop

Premier League-bound Leeds United have expressed an interest in signing Benfica full-back Leandro Santos on loan, SportsBoom sources can reveal.

The highly-rated teenager is valued at £5million and is rated as a real prospect for the future having starred for the Lisbon giants this season.

Santos, 19, played three games for the club this season, all of which were victories.

And the Portuguese right-back, who has represented his country twice at Under-20 level, is hungry to get some much-needed experience at a top club under his belt.

The Whites fit the bill having won promotion back to the big time, with manager Daniel Farke keen to balance his ambitious squad with some young and hungry players, as well as experienced wise-old heads.

Santos graduated through the Benfica youth ranks before earning his first team chance. But regular football is unlikely to be on cards next season at the Estadio da Luz, with the defender ready to embark on a new challenge to give his burgeoning career another boost.

Benfica were narrowly pipped to the post by just two points by Sporting for the Portuguese Liga title this term.

TITLE PUSH

It is understood manager Bruno Lage is keen to add some more experience to his defence ahead of a real title-push next season.

Santos has a clause in his contract which allows him to move to a top side should them calling, but Benfica would land a sizeable compensation fee if he were to make the move.

Leeds are understandably ready to strengthen ahead of their return to the Premier League, with Farke identifying new targets throughout his squad.

Defenders Sam Byram and Junior Firpo are both out of contract next month, but Jayden Bogle has been the club’s first-choice right-back this season.

Santos is seen as a star for the future and would fit into the club’s young squad dynamic.