Leeds United target AZ Alkmaar captain Teun Koopmeiners to bolster midfield

Leeds United are looking to sign AZ Alkmaar captain Teun Koopmeiners to bolster Marcelo Bielsa’s midfield.

Koopmeiners, 22, has been a regular starter in the Eredivisie for three seasons after coming through the ranks at AZ. He was in the provisional Holland squad for the recent Nations League matches but ended up playing for the Under-21s instead.

Bielsa is keen to strengthen Leeds' central midfield. He lost Pablo Hernandez to a groin strain in the warm-up last weekend and was forced to play Spain striker Rodrigo in a deeper role, which lasted 45 minutes.

New England international Kalvin Phillips is Bielsa’s primary defensive midfielder so Koopmeiners would compete with Mateusz Klich at centre-mid.

Leeds have so far been successful in bringing in defenders, with Robin Koch joined by Diego Llorente this week after a deal was agreed with Real Sociedad for the Spaniard. Rodrigo arrived as a striker in a club-record move but getting a deal done for a suitable midfielder has proved difficult. Rodrigo De Paul is a target but agreeing a fee with Udinese has not been easy. Atalanta’s Ruslan Malinovskyi has also been considered.

Leeds have dived into the Dutch market to buy winger Crysencio Summerville, 18, for their youth team in a £1 million deal. Koopmeiners would also be good value but will be competing for a first-team place if he arrives at Elland Road.

AZ would expect Koopmeiners’ fee to break through the £10m barrier, given he is on the verges of the Dutch national squad. They have moved players to the Premier League before with Mousa Dembélé, Graziano Pellè and Vincent Janssen earning deals after playing at AFAS Stadion.