Leeds United set sights on £20m Udinese defender Oumar Solet
The Whites are pushing to land the French centre-back before Serie A giants Inter and Juventus can tempt him to run down his contract.
Leeds United are making a serious move to sign Udinese defender Oumar Solet this summer, with a fee in the region of £20m reportedly enough to secure his signature. The 25-year-old Frenchman has just a year left on his contract with the Serie A club, which makes him a particularly attractive target for clubs looking for value in the market.
Solet joined Udinese from RB Salzburg in January 2025 and immediately established himself as one of the standout defenders in Italy's top flight. He featured in every match during the second half of last season, helping the club to a 10th-place finish. His performances have not gone unnoticed across Europe, and Leeds are not the only side tracking his situation.
Inter and Juventus are also monitoring Solet closely, though both Italian giants are believed to be content with waiting until next summer to pick him up on a free transfer. That approach would suit their finances but leaves the door open for Leeds to strike while the player's contract still holds value. The Premier League side would prefer to get a deal done now and avoid a bidding war further down the line.
Red Bull pedigree and immediate impact
Solet came through the Red Bull network, shining at Salzburg before his move to Italy. His physicality and reading of the game quickly made him a key figure for Udinese. Leeds see him as a player who can bring composure and leadership to a backline that was tested at times last season. The Yorkshire club ultimately avoided relegation with some comfort, but early-season struggles highlighted a need for more quality in defence.
Signing Solet would represent a statement of intent from Leeds, who are eager to build a squad capable of pushing higher up the table. The £20m price tag, while not small, is considered a bargain given the player's age, experience in two top European leagues, and the fact he could leave for nothing in 12 months.
The competition from Inter and Juventus is real, but they are not in a position to act immediately. Leeds are hoping that by presenting a clear project and an immediate starting role, they can persuade Solet to make the move to England now rather than risk a free transfer scramble next summer. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether the Whites can pull off what would be one of the shrewdest signings of the window.