Leeds 'relationship' could see 'spectacularly good' £75m star arrive at Elland Road

Leeds United may see their hopes of signing Barcelona star Sergino Dest boosted thanks to welcoming Junior Firpo to Elland Road less than 12 months ago, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

The Whites parted with £13million to sign Firpo from the Catalan giants last July and it appears they could return to the Nou Camp for another full-back in the upcoming transfer window.

Jesse Marsch, the American-born former RB Leipzig boss, was appointed as Leeds’ head coach just 24 hours after Marcelo Bielsa’s sacking in February.

According to TEAMtalk, Marsch has set his sights on making fellow countryman Dest one of his first signings since heading to Elland Road.

The report suggests Barcelona could make the right-back available in the upcoming transfer window due to wanting to raise funds and the Leeds hierarchy feel Dest would be an ‘excellent addition’ to the squad Marsch inherited.

Spanish sources have revealed Barcelona have considered offering the 17-cap United States international in exchange for Whites winger Raphinha.

Alternatively, it is understood that Dest could be used to entice Bayern Munich into allowing Robert Lewandowski to switch to the Nou Camp.

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O’Rourke believes heading to the negotiating table for Firpo last summer could benefit Leeds in their attempts to strike another deal with Barcelona.

The journalist also feels Marsch could prove crucial in the attempts to persuade Dest to move to Yorkshire.

O’Rourke told GIVEMESPORT: “Leeds do seem to have a decent relationship with Barcelona, having signed Junior Firpo in the summer.

“You can’t rule this one out, especially with the American links.”

Although it appears as though Barcelona are