Leeds United are wasting no time in preparing for life without Pascal Struijk. With the Dutch defender expected to leave Elland Road this summer, the club has already turned its attention to finding a new leader at the back.
Daniel Farke wants to keep his defence strong ahead of another Premier League season, and reports suggest Leeds are ready to make a big move for Real Betis centre-back Natan.
The Brazilian defender has become one of the club’s top defensive targets, and Leeds are believed to be preparing an offer in an attempt to bring him to Yorkshire before the new campaign begins.
Replacing Struijk will not be an easy job, but Leeds feel Natan has many of the qualities needed to step into the starting team.
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Leeds step up search for a new centre-back
The expected departure of Pascal Struijk has made signing a defender one of Leeds’ biggest priorities this summer.
The club had hoped the Dutchman would stay by signing a new contract, but after it became clear he wanted a fresh challenge, Leeds decided to move forward with plans for a replacement.
Rather than waiting until the transfer is completed, the recruitment team has already started working on several possible options.
Natan has now moved high on that shortlist.
Leeds believe the 24-year-old has the right mix of technical ability, strength and experience to succeed in English football. He has developed well in Spain and has shown that he is comfortable playing against top-quality opposition.
The Whites are now trying to move quickly before interest from other clubs grows even stronger.
Natan fits Daniel Farke’s style perfectly
One of the biggest reasons Leeds admire Natan is because he matches the type of defender Farke wants in his system.
The Leeds boss prefers centre-backs who are calm when in possession and confident enough to build attacks from the back.
Natan has shown those qualities during his time in La Liga. He is comfortable receiving the ball under pressure, can pick out accurate passes and is able to help his team keep possession.
At the same time, he is strong in physical battles and enjoys defending one-on-one situations.
That combination could make him an excellent fit for Premier League football, where defenders are regularly tested both physically and technically.
Farke wants players who can adapt quickly, and Natan appears to offer the balance Leeds are looking for.
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Real Betis expected to drive a hard bargain
Although Leeds are preparing a serious offer, completing the transfer may not be straightforward.
Real Betis value Natan highly and do not want to lose one of their important defenders unless the price is right.
The Spanish club is expected to demand a higher fee than Leeds’ opening offer, meaning negotiations could continue for some time.
If Leeds eventually agree to meet Betis’ valuation, the transfer could become one of the biggest signings in the club’s recent history.
The Whites must now decide how far they are willing to go to secure their preferred target.
Club officials know they cannot afford to leave the defence short of quality after losing such an important player.
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Leeds continue ambitious summer rebuild
This transfer window is shaping up to be one of Leeds’ busiest in recent years.
The club has already been linked with new signings across several positions as Farke looks to build a squad capable of staying competitive in the Premier League.
Strengthening the defence remains one of the main objectives, and Natan appears to tick many of the boxes Leeds have been searching for.
His age, playing style and experience make him an attractive option for a club looking to build for both the present and the future.
Supporters will now wait to see whether Leeds can reach an agreement with Real Betis in the coming weeks.
If the move goes through, Natan would arrive with high expectations, but he could also become one of the key players in Farke’s plans for the new season.
Leeds know replacing Pascal Struijk will be a difficult task, but they believe Natan has the qualities needed to help lead the club into the next chapter at Elland Road.
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