'Exactly what Jesse March needs' - Transfer insider thrilled by what he's hearing from Leeds

Transfer insider Dean Jones has delivered his verdict on the potential Leeds United pursuit of Liverpool forward Takumi Minamino. 

This comes following a report from The Times claiming Leeds are among the frontrunners to sign Minamino this summer after the Japan international was made available by Liverpool.

The Whites have been heavily linked with the versatile 27-year-old previously, including under former manager and fan favourite Marcelo Bielsa.

With Jesse Marsch now at the helm in Yorkshire and having worked alongside the mercurial Minamino previously at Red Bull Salzburg, the interest looks set to be ramped up…

Speaking to Give Me Sport, Jones suggested having already clinched deals to reunite Rasmus Kristensen and Brenden Aaronson with Marsch, a similar move for the 40-cap Japan starlet would be smart from Victor Orta.

He said: “People like Minamino might be the guys that fit into that.

“They’re not going to sound like world beating signings, but they might just be exactly what Jesse March needs as he kind of transitions his side and adds steps to it.”

For the reported £17million asking price, signing Minamino would be a superb piece of business as Marsch looks to build a squad to steer way clear of the Premier League drop zone next season.

Despite being somewhat of an also-ran in the major tournaments since arriving in England, the man hailed as a ‘special’ player by former Liverpool forward Luis Garcia has managed 17 direct goal contributions in 54 outings for the Merseyside giants.

During 2021/22, Minamino notched up an impressive ten goals and one assist from just 24 outings, hitting the back of the net four times in five appearances in the Carabao Cup, earning an outstanding 7.38 Sofascore rating whilst