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Oscar Haley

Leeds United hoping transfer template pays dividends again as Diogo Monteiro nears move

Leeds United look set to finalise a deal for Portuguese youth international Diogo Monteiro from Swiss side Servette after it was revealed the teenager has been booked in for a medical with the Whites.

The Athletic's Phil Hay reports the Whites have booked the 18-year-old in for his medical on the day that it was revealed Spanish defender Diego Llorente will join Roma on-loan with an obligation to buy.

The signing of Monteiro represents a continuation of Leeds' 'new-ish' transfer policy, namely signing players with bags of potential who could go on to become first team regulars.

READ MORE: How Leeds United's midfield line-up could evolve if Weston McKennie signs

For example, just last summer they landed Wilfried Gnonto from another Swiss side, FC Zurich, in a move that has already paid off hugely.

Gnonto cost Leeds under £4m which now looks a paltry fee given his impressive performances this term for the Whites since being brought into the starting line-up by Jesse Marsch.

While their is zero expectation Monteiro will be thrust into the rigours of Premier League immediately, Leeds will be hoping further down the line for a repeat of the Gnonto deal.

Born in Switzerland, Monteiro has played for Portugal over 30 times at youth level, representing them at every age group stage. Just last year, Monteiro captained the Portugal under-17's to the semi-finals of the European Championships.

He has since made the step up to the under-19s, playing alongside the likes of Hugo Felix, the brother of Chelsea loan-forward Joao Felix.

Of course, at just 18, there are also plenty of areas Monteiro needs to work on before before he finds a way to break into the Leeds first team.

While he is comfortable on the ball and has bags of pace, Monteiro's Servette boss Alain Geiger believes the defender needs to toughen up his game when it comes to winning one on one duel.

"Diogo is the guy who has the technique to raise, who was immediately at the level of the Super League," said Geiger.

"Even if he still has to toughen up his game a bit in duels."

But despite his age, Monteiro will surely be excited by the chance to move to a Premier League side who are so keen on giving young players a chance. In Gnonto, Monteiro has the perfect example to follow.

Leeds have made a commitment to give young players the chance to flourish with plenty of game-time. And they will hope to have un-earthed another gem in the form of the 18-year-old Portuguese defender.

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