SC Braga defender Bruno Viana is attracting interest from Championship outfit Leeds United, it has been claimed.
The Whites are vying for promotion, and are expected to add more quality and depth to their squad if they do make it to the Premier League come May.
Leeds have been inconsistent at the back with Liam Cooper and Pontus Jansson being the first choice centre-backs, and according to TalkSPORT, the Whites are set to compete with Leicester City, Wolves, and Watford for Viana’s services in the summer.
Viana signed for Braga last summer, and has a contract with the club until 2023, and the Whites might have to spend somewhere in the region of £8million and £10million to sign the Brazilian.
Viana – Fact file
The Brazilian centre-half has featured 27 times for Braga so far this season, and has been an integral part of the side’s defence.
Braga have shown good consistency to stay right behind Sporting Lisbon’s tails in fourth place, and can yet finish the season third.
Viana has often been deployed in a four and a three-man backline this season, and the 25-year old has adapted well to the system, even when asked to play as a sweeper in a three-man defence.
Why Viana is a good option for Leeds United
Considering Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa likes players who are versatile and can do a tidy job at the back, Viana would be a good fit for the club.
Bielsa was pretty impressed by Kalvin Phillips’ distribution, and the midfielder was deployed in a makeshift sweeper role in Bielsa’s system at times, something Viana can do a lot better.
Viana is strong with his passing and can play the ball out from the back – another trait Bielsa likes his defenders to possess.
So far this season, Viana has managed a pass accuracy of 86.1%, and his four clearances per game on an average also indicate that he is often in the right place at the right time to get rid of the danger.
At just 24, Viana would be a long term addition to the team, but the deal hinges on whether or not Leeds can make it to the top flight.
Stats via Whoscored