Leeds have been handed a boost in their pursuit of Lugano attacker Ezgjan Alioski as he has settled on a move away from the club, according to Basler Zeitung.
The Swiss newspaper claim on their website that Lugano are resigned to losing the 25-year-old winger this summer, and have begun to search for a replacement.
Leeds were said to be closing on his signing on Wednesday by Corriere del Ticino, with the newspaper reporting that the Yorkshire side had held talks with the Swiss club’s president Angelo Renzetti over the move.
His agents also confirmed to BBC journalist Adam Pope that there was a lot of interest from all over Europe in the Macedonian international, who has just a year left on his contract.
Reps of Macedonia winger Ezgjan Alioski say: "We've received many inquiries regarding the player & will analyze them all in due time." #lufc pic.twitter.com/ICgEQ8uNJo
— Adam Pope (@apopey) June 21, 2017
Alioski demonstrated impressive form last season for Lugano, hitting 16 goals and notching up 13 assists in just 34 league appearances, which saw him finish as the third top scorer in the Swiss Super League.
The 13-time-capped Macedonian international could become the first signing of new Leeds boss Thomas Christiansen, after the Danish coach took over from former manager Garry Monk earlier in June.
The Whites have also been heavily linked with a move for FC Twente’s Polish midfielder Mateusz Kilch, as the Yorkshire club look to get their transfer action underway this summer following Christiansen’s appointment.