Tutto Mercato Web has exclusively revealed that Leeds United are interested in signing Bari centre back Valerio Di Cesare. The Championship club are actively seeking another centre back after Giuseppe Bellusci departed on loan.
Although Kyle Bartley has since signed from Swansea City on loan, Monk is still hoping to add more additions to his squad. After their friendly win over Shelbourne, he expressed his desire to add more recruits to his Elland Road squad.
33-year-old Di Cesare is the latest Italian-based player to be linked with a move to Leeds United. In particular, it is another player that plies his trade in the Italian second tier, Serie B, which is the Italian version of the Sky Bet Championship. They are also reportedly eyeing a move for Ternana striker Felipe Avenatti.
Di Cesare actually has experience of England, but Chelsea fans will probably struggle to remember him playing in their reserve side at the start of this millennium. He failed to make a single first-team appearance at Stamford Bridge after joining from Lazio. Since then, he has been based back in Italy playing for clubs such as Vicenza, Torino and Brescia. He joined Bari this time last year on a two-year deal.
The defender played 31 times for Bari last season as they reached the end of season play-offs in Serie B. They would not earn promotion into Serie A alongside the likes of Juventus, Napoli, Milan & Inter. He did however achieve promotion out of Serie B in 2012 when with Torino.
In the video below, Di Cesare can be seen scoring a goal whilst playing for Brescia. Opening the scoring for Ternana is a certain Mirco Antenucci, a former Leeds United striker.
