OPINION
Leeds United must try to sign Everton enforcer Muhamed Besic this summer after it was reported that Middlesbrough’s interest in the Bosnian is starting to cool.
Gazette Live journalist Dominic Shaw has been quoted by the Liverpool Echo as saying that Boro manager Tony Pulis has shifted priority away from signing Besic, 25, as he has already added to his defensive midfield options this summer to sign Paddy McNair from Sunderland.
Besic seemingly has no future at Goodison Park as he was sent out on loan to Middlesbrough for the second half of last season, having only made two 2017/18 Premier League appearances before his temporary switch to the North East was wrapped up.
The former Hamburg man is now just what Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa needs before the end of the transfer window to help shore up what has been a very easy-to-beat side in the last 12 months.
Bielsa likes to play with a defensive midfielder as part of his back-three, and Besic can play that role perfectly.
The 31-times Bosnia international, who according to statistics website Spotrac earns £30,000-a-week at Everton, is good both on and off the ball and proved at Boro that he can be a solid Championship player.
He scored one goal and supplied two assists in his 17 appearances across all competitions for the Teesside club last term.
Given a full campaign, whether it be on loan or as a permanent signing, Besic will be a really good player for Leeds, if director of football Victor Orta is able to swoop in and scoop up what Middlesbrough failed to get.