Massimo Cellino
Cellino likely to approach Cagliari players this summer.

Cagliari sporting director Nicola Salerno expects a number of his players to be approached by Leeds United this summer, including striker Victor Ibarbo who has been linked with the Yorkshire club.

Having completed his takeover at Elland Road, owner Massimo Cellino has targeted wholesale changes to the club with the aim of winning promotion back to the Premier League next season.

The controversial businessman has already enlisted former Sheffield Wednesday and Bradford midfielder Benito Carbone to restructure the club's youth ranks and is expected to approach his other club Cagliari to bolster Brian McDermott's squad this summer.

Colombian international Ibarbo has quickly been tipped to make the move and recently refused to rule out the possibility of leaving the Serie A club.

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And Salerno anticipates moves between Cellino's two clubs this summer, although was quick to stress that there are no formal plans as of yet.

"Yes, the ownership is the same as well, but you have to wait and see what the future plans of Cellino are regarding it," Salerno was quoted as saying by Cagliari News 24. "The conditions and the guidelines to be followed for the future still need to be decided, then we still have to wait for the decisions of the president."

Despite hitting the target in Serie A just four times this season, the lightening quick Ibarbo is likely to be named in Colombia's World Cup squad and Salerno believes the striker's presence in Brazil could further complicate matters.

"He is a player who will be at the next World Cup in Brazil. In a month there will be several enquiries for him, maybe even internationally.

"It is still too early for any assessments because things can change at any time."

Cagliari trio Danilo Avelar, Andrea Tabanelli and Sebastien Eriksson have also been linked with a move to Leeds United, who finished their Championship campaign with a 1-1 draw with Derby County last weekend.