Leeds United plotting transfer swoop for £35k-a-week Aston Villa player | OneFootball

Leeds United are reportedly among the clubs interested in a move for Aston Villa left-back Alex Moreno this summer

Leeds United have made contact over a move for Aston Villa defender Alex Moreno, with Daniel Farke bidding to bolster his squad with top-flight experience after lifting the Championship title last season.

According to a recent update by journalist Santi Aouna of Foot Mercato, contact has taken place ahead of a potential move for Moreno this summer.

Leeds, who have freshly been linked with a move for Fulham striker Rodrigo Muniz, are prepared to arm Farke with a significant transfer kitty in order to give themselves the best possible chance of surviving their first season back in the Premier League and break the recent trend of newly-promoted clubs suffering relegation straight back down to the Championship.

As per reports, Farke will be backed with a budget in excess of £100 million and Leeds have already been linked to a host of players, including Ben Davies, Gabriel Sara, Callum Wilson and Kostas Tsimikas.

Auona's update has claimed that Leeds have added the Aston Villa man to their list for a new left-back this summer and initial contact has been made.

It's said that former club Real Betis, along with Real Sociedad and Burnley - who were promoted from the Championship alongside the Whites, of course - also like Moreno's profile but are yet to lodge an official offer to Unai Emery's side.

Moreno would bring seasoned top-flight pedigree to Elland Road, having been a regular in La Liga with Betis for three-and-a-half seasons before sealing a reported £12.5 million switch to Villa in January 2023.

The 32-year-old has made 48 appearances for the Villains to date and spent the duration of last season on loan with Nottingham Forest as Nuno Espírito Santo's side secured UEFA Europa Conference League qualification.

Moreno has also been linked with a move to Premier League newcomers Sunderland, with Leeds set to face competition for his signature this summer. The Second City outfit are reportedly willing to consider offers to the tune of £5.1 million for Moreno, who is entering the final year of his contract at Villa Park and is estimated to be earning a weekly wage of £35,000.

Aston Villa's Alex Moreno could be Junior Firpo replacement at Leeds United

Leeds are considering alternative left-back options amid uncertainty surrounding Junior Firpo's long-term future with the club ahead of the expiration of his contract later this month.

There has not yet been any breakthrough regarding a new deal for Firpo, who struggled in the Premier League following his move from Barcelona but reinvented himself and became a firm Elland Road favorite after two impressive campaigns back in the Championship.

The 11-cap Dominican Republic international recorded four goals and 10 assists from left-back last season in an outstanding campaign and has no shortage of admirers on the continent, with the likes of Betis, Atletico Madrid, Lyon and AC Milan all said to be interested.