Leeds United have made a couple of much-needed signings in midfield this summer. After their incredible 100-point campaign in the 2024/25 Championship season, the Whites have made two new additions in the middle of the park to replace Josuha Guilavogui and Joe Rothwell, who have now left.
The first midfielder Leeds signed this summer was Newcastle United academy graduate Sean Longstaff. He joined for a reported fee of £12m from the Magpies. Daniel Farke’s side also signed German midfielder Anton Stach from Bundesliga side Hoffenheim. He cost a reported £17.4m up front, with further add-ons.
However, the Yorkshire outfit are not seemingly done there when it comes to signing new midfielders this summer. They have recently been linked with a further man in the middle of the park.
Leeds’ next midfield target
So, there is a clear transfer policy at Elland Road this season, for the midfield to be strengthened ahead of a huge season back in the Premier League. With Longstaff and Stach through the door, it seems Leeds have identified their next target.
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According to a recent report from journalist Gianluigi Longari, Leeds are one of the sides who ‘have come forward’ about signing Benfica midfielder Florentino Luis. The Portuguese midfielder is a player who his club ‘might consider the departure of’ in the coming weeks.
However, this is not going to be an easy deal to do. Benfica have also ‘had inquiries from Serie A clubs in the past’, and recently other Premier League sides have shown interest. Fellow newly-promoted side Burnley are one side in the race, as are Everton.
It was reported last May that the Toffees made a bid of around £26m for Luis, so perhaps he would cost Leeds a similar fee.
Why Luis would be a good signing for Leeds
The 25-year-old defensive midfielder played an important role in the Benfica side last season. He’s become an established player for his boyhood club in the last few seasons, after having a couple of loan spells, including one for Ligue 1 side AS Monaco.
Last term, he made 45 appearances in all competitions, slotting in at the base of their midfield. In 26 appearances in the Portuguese top flight, he played 90 minutes in 15 of those games, helping to steer his side to a third-place finish.
The former Portugal under-21 international, who is yet to make a senior appearance for his country, was described as an “exceptional talent” by former boss Rui Vitoria.
As well as his strong defensive contributions, he also chipped in with two goals and one assist.
Luis is certainly consistent as a defensive midfielder. It could be argued that the 25-year-old has shades of former Leeds hero Kalvin Phillips. Although his career has taken a downward trajectory since departing Elland Road, his impact at his boyhood club was superb.
In 234 games for the Whites, the England international became a pivotal figure at the base of their midfield, scoring 14 goals and assisting 13, too. He was once described as ‘the best English midfielder there is by far’ by Gary Neville.
The statistics between Phillips’ debut campaign in the Premier League back in 2020/21, and Luis from Benfica’s most recent season, further reinforce the fact he is so similar to Leeds’ homegrown hero.
When looking at the numbers on FBref, the Benfica star averages 6.12 tackles and interceptions and 5.8 progressive passes per 90 minutes. In comparison, Leeds’ former midfielder averaged 4.41 tackles and interceptions and 5.07 progressive passes each game.
Progressive passes
5.8
5.07
Blocks
1.51
1.81
Tackles and interceptions
6.12
4.41
Aerial duels won
1.23
1.11
Ball recoveries
5.66
7.93
Not only will Luis bring quality out of possession, but his progressive nature will aid Leeds in build-up, too. There are certainly aspects of his game that are similar to Phillips’, especially his defensive work.
For a fee of around £26m, this could be a fantastic deal for Leeds to further enhance the quality in midfield.
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