LEEDS UNITED have reportedly made their first bid to sign Basel striker Arthur Cabral.
Brazilian outlet Globo Esporte claim the Whites have offered around £16.3million but the Swiss side are holding out for closer to £18m.
That would mark a swift profit for Basel, who recently activated a permanent option in his loan contract to sign Cabral for a measly £3.6m.
The 22-year-old had scored 18 goals in 39 games for the Swiss Super League side after initially arriving from Palmeiras last summer.
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The report adds that Marcelo Bielsa has specifically asked Leeds to sign Cabral, who is also said to be keen on a move to the Premier League.
The striker’s former sides Palmeiras and Ceara still retain a small percentage of his economic rights.
Yet Leeds would be prepared to take full ownership by paying Cabral’s full fee to majority holders Basel, who would then be tasked with delegating the money to the two Brazilian clubs.
His agent Paulo Pitombeira is thought to have a good relationship with Bielsa following Lille’s deal for Thiago Mendes when the Argentine was manager back in 2017.
Cabral is the latest frontman to be linked with a switch to Leeds, with Patrick Bamford the only recognised option at Elland Road.
The Premier League newbies have already boosted their forward options with a double swoop for Jack Harrison on loan and Wigan’s Joe Gelhardt.
Though Leeds are finding landing their defensive targets more difficult, with Liverpool and Chelsea joining the race for Ben White.
Centre-back White, 22, is suddenly in demand after impressing during his season on loan at the Championship winners.
The Yorkshire club have already made a £35million bid but Brighton are set to reject it out of hand, valuing their star at more than £50m.
