Italian side Ascoli are interested in taking defender Giuseppe Bellusci off Leeds United's hands in the summer transfer window and hope a good relationship at board level can help a deal progress.
Ascoli, who are already keen on another Leeds player in the shape of striker Mirco Antenucci, are firm fans of Bellusci, who they feel could bolster their backline for the 2016/17 campaign.
According to Italian daily Il Messaggero, Bellusci is on Ascoli's radar and the Italian club hope the good relationship between their sporting director, Francesco Marroccu, and Leeds president Massimo Cellino, can smooth the path to a deal.
Bellusci is a controversial figure at Elland Road, with a section of Leeds fans having turned against him.
The defender was one of a number of players to pull out of a matchday squad at the last minute last season, amid speculation of a strike.
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He has also had run-ins with Leeds fans on social media, which have not helped his cause.
And on the pitch Bellusci has made a number of errors which have cost Leeds dearly.
At present Whites head coach Steve Evans prefers a central defensive pairing of Liam Cooper and Sol Bamba.
