Saturday, 31st May, 2014
Leeds United owner Massimo Cellino is aiming to persuade Cagliari centre-back Davide Astori to make an unlikely move to Elland Road.
The Cagliari centre-back has been linked with a number of clubs throughout the last 12 months, with former Manchester United manager David Moyes having scouted him during his time at Old Trafford, while Tottenham Hotspur were mooted keen as earlier this month. Astori also has admirers within Italy, including AC Milan and Napoli, though Lazio have already bid €5m to capture him.
But according to Sky Italia, Cellino wants to charm Astori into moving to Leeds instead.
Cellino, who owns both Leeds and Cagliari, but is currently in the process of selling the Italian side, could also enlist the help of Cagliari sporting director Nicola Salerno, who has admitted he could take up a similar role at Elland Road.
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Signing Astori would send out a message about Cellino's seriousness in having Leeds challenging for promotion to the Premier League instantly next season.
A switch to Elland Road would be a shock for Astori given it would involve dropping into England's second tier. He has has seven Italy caps to his name and has been rated as one of the most competent centre-backs in Serie A.
The 27-year-old started his career at AC Milan, heading out on two loan spells before joining Cagliari in 2008.
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