A report from HITC (via the Yorkshire Evening Post) has claimed that Championship side Leeds United are leading the chase to sign 21-year-old Italian midfielder Michael Folorunsho, who currently plays for Italian Serie C outfit Vitrus Francavilla.
Italian midfielder Michael Folorunsho is reportedly ready to make the big step up from the Italian third tier to the English Championship, with Leeds United leading the race to sign the Vitrus Francavilla youngster.
Leeds Live reported that owner Andrea Radrizzani is using his contacts in Italy to try and ensure that Folorunsho opts to make the move to Elland ERoad this summer.
The 21-year-old is attracting the attention of the Whites this summer after a strong season with the third tier side. Folorunsho played 35 times in all competitions, scoring seven goals and laying on one assist over the course of the 2018/19 season.
He has played in a number of positions for Vitrus Francavilla over the course of the season, playing as a left-midfielder and defensive midfielder alongside his main position at centre midfielder – showing the versatility that could’ve been one of the midfielder’s traits to catch the eye of Bielsa.
Folorunsho came through the youth academy with Italian giants Lazio after joining the club in 2014. He played 54 times for the club’s youth side, scoring five goals and providing five assists along the way. The Italian made the bench for the senior team on one occasion and was an unused sub against Inter Milan in 2017.
Since joining Vitrus Francavilla, Folorunsho has played 66 times, scoring eight goals and providing two assists.
Should Folorunsho join Leeds, he would likely link up with Carlos Corberan’s Under-23s side before making the jump up to the club’s senior team. But, with Bielsa more than happy to utilise young players, Folorunsho could force his way into the first-team picture.
