Adryan
A deal to bring Adryan to Leeds is close according to Massimo Cellino.

Leeds United are on the brink of making Brazilian Under-20 international Adryan their 11<sup>th signing of the summer transfer window after owner Massimo Cellino revealed the player is keen to move to Elland Road.

Cellino is attempting to broker a deal to sign Adryan from former club Cagliari, who he relinquished ownership of in June, but admits the move is riddled with complications.

"The player wants to come to Elland Road, so that is not the issue here," Cellino told The Sun. "I know Adryan well and he is a special talent. But this is a complicated deal. There is still talking to do with Flamengo and the player's agent."

The 20 year old has played for Brazil at Under-15, Under-16, Under-17 and Under-20 level but his first campaign for Cagliari was hindered by a thigh injury which restricted him to just five appearances last term.

The player's agent Reinaldo Pitta said: "We are talking with Leeds, but there is nothing signed.

"I'm in Brazil and Adryan is in Italy so there is still nothing concrete between us and Leeds, although if we are talking it's clear that he would like to play there."

Amid a season of upheaval, Adryan would become the 28<sup>th player to join or leave Leeds this summer as Cellino and manager David Hockaday continue to rebuild a squad which finished 15<sup>th in the Championship last season.

Leeds kick-started their campaign, following the opening day loss to Millwall, with a 1-0 win over Middlesbrough with Billy Sharp grabbing the late winner.

But despite the victory, Hockaday has made no secret of his desire to see further players join the West Yorkshire club.

"I am looking at players who can come in and make a difference," the Leeds boss said. "That is the key now. The president and I are talking, texting and meeting every day and looking at options.

"It's a very considered approach and I think we have done pretty well so far.

"We have had a really good look at the players and assessed where we feel we need to strengthen. And I think if and when we bring players in, I'd like to think they are going to be players who are going to challenge the starting XI, instead of squad players."