Newly promoted Premier League side Leeds United are reportedly set to make a move for 32-year-old Brazilian defender Diego Carlos from Turkish Süper Lig club Fenerbahçe.
According to a report from Turkish outlet Fotomac, the Whites are looking to bolster their defensive options for the upcoming season.
Diego Carlos only arrived at Fenerbahçe in the winter transfer window, joining from Aston Villa for a reported €12 million.
However, it appears his time in Turkey may be short-lived. The Fotomac report suggests that Carlos is not part of manager José Mourinho’s plans for the 2025/26 season, and Fenerbahçe is now prepared to entertain bids for the defender this summer.
Leeds United is reportedly readying a formal offer to secure his services in the coming weeks.
A Tumultuous Journey for the Brazilian Defender
Carlos’s career has seen its ups and downs since he left Sevilla a few years ago. During his tenure with the Andalusian club, he was considered one of La Liga’s most reliable defenders.
However, his move to Aston Villa saw him struggle to consistently hold down a starting spot. His situation at Fenerbahçe hasn’t seen much improvement, with the Brazilian managing only 188 minutes of game time across five appearances for the club so far.
Defensive Overload at Elland Road?
Leeds United’s apparent interest in Diego Carlos comes as a bit of a surprise, given their recent transfer activity.
The club has already strengthened its defensive unit this summer with the arrivals of two new centre-backs, Jaka Bijol and Sebastiaan Bornauw. Additionally, manager Daniel Farke already has Ethan Ampadu, Pascal Struijk, and Joe Rodon as existing centre-back options.
This raises questions about how Carlos would fit into the defensive setup at Elland Road, potentially creating an overcrowded department.
Nevertheless, the former Aston Villa man remains a target, with the West Yorkshire club reportedly preparing to submit a formal bid.
With Fenerbahçe seemingly keen to offload the 32-year-old, a swift return to the Premier League could be on the cards for Diego Carlos.
It will be interesting to see if the Turkish club can manage to recoup or even profit from the €12 million they spent on him just earlier this year.
