Lugano winger Esgjan Alioski could snub Leeds United and join FC Basel instead in a dramatic transfer twist, according to reports.
Swiss news outlet Ticino News reported on Thursday morning that Alioski had rejected interest from Bundesliga and Serie A clubs to agree terms with United and went so far as to say he “is a player of Leeds”.
However, another Switzerland publication Fussball Infos raised the prospect on Thursday evening of a major U-turn from the Macedonia international, 25, as it explained that he could move to the Swiss champions Basel.
It is said that interest in Alioski from the Champions League regulars, who have qualified for the group stage of next season’s competition, has been in place since last month and “is not yet off the table”.
Fussball Infos report that the right-winger’s future remains uncertain and it is possible that he could be seduced by the carrot of playing in Europe’s elite competition and will choose to stay in Switzerland by making the move to Basel next season.
That would be a major blow to Leeds, who has been strongly linked with the dynamic wide man since the middle of last week.
Update on reports yesterday journalists who I’ve contacted regarding Ezgjan Alioski in Swiss adamant that the move to #lufc is happening
— Joe Rawson (@joerawson) June 29, 2017
United have swooped to sign Alioski after he spearheaded Lugano to a third-placed finish in the Swiss top division in the recent domestic season with 17 goals from 36 matches supplemented by 14 assists.
The Championship giants have been active already in this summer’s transfer market.
They sealed a deal for central midfielder Mateusz Klich last Friday after converting the 2016-17 loans of Pontus Jansson and Hadi Sacko into permanent transfers.
Leeds also announced the signing on Tuesday of midfielder Madger Gomes from the Liverpool academy.
United continued their stunning overhaul under new owner Andrea Radrizzani by announcing on Wednesday evening that they have sealed a deal reportedly worth £20million to reclaim ownership of Elland Road following 13 years of private ownership.