Fabrizio Romano drops Leeds transfer boost as Orta now eyes 'gifted' midfielder alongside Roca

Further updates have now emerged regarding reported Leeds United target Florian Grillitsch.

Hailed as ‘exceptionally gifted‘ by Hoffenheim director Alexander Rosen, the Bundesliga club’s midfielder was linked with a move to Elland Road in April.

Transfer insider Dean Jones revealed in recent weeks that the Austria international is still a target for the Whites and could come to Yorkshire even if Kalvin Phillips remains at the club.

Valued at £14.4m by Transfermarkt, the 26-year-old is out of contract at Hoffenheim at the end of this month, with Leeds still name-checked with an interest in recent reports.

MOT Leeds News relayed an update regarding Grillitsch from Austrian newspaper Die Presse Am Sonntag. They claimed that he has rejected a new contract offer from Hoffenheim, with Leeds, Arsenal, Everton, Lazio and Fiorentina all keen.

The report stated that Fiorentina have reached a verbal agreement, but according to an update from transfer expert Fabrizio Romano on Saturday night, ‘there’s still no agreement’ between the Serie A club and Grillitsch.

Romano’s update is an apparent boost for Leeds, who still appear to be interested in securing Grillitsch’s services over the coming weeks.

However, they seem to be busy at this moment in time in looking to wrap up the signing of defensive midfielder Marc Roca from Bayern Munich.

It seems as if Victor Orta may want Grillitsch alongside Roca in midfield, with Phillips now expected to move to Manchester City, so the Whites may need to act fast in order to snap up the Austrian on a free transfer.

In other news: Leeds now won’t sign ‘superb’ midfielder despite Phil Hay revealing talks

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