Leeds are continuing to keep a close eye on Lens starlet Loic Bade ahead of a potential move for the centre-back in the summer transfer window.

What's the story?

Reports from Foot Mercato earlier this year suggested that Marcelo Bielsa's side are one of the teams interested in signing the 21-year-old.

Now, Actufoot claim that along with Leeds, the likes of Sevilla and Lyon have also earmarked the young Frenchman as a transfer target, and that with Lens aware of the growing interest in the defender, they are ready to cash in.

Leeds' new Pontus Jansson

Before Bielsa grew tired of Pontus Jansson, the big centre-back was a imposing figure at the back, dealing with everything in the air and ensuring the Whites had a monstrous presence in their own box.

In fact, on Jansson’s way to earning his place in the PFA Team of the Year in 2018/19 season, the Whites let in just 13 goals from corners and free-kicks over the season. The Swede was superb in the air, winning 4.9 aerial duels per game during his final season in the Championship for the club.

And in Bade, Bielsa could find his next Jansson.

The Frenchman has a big future ahead of him and has already earned reviews for his performances with Lens, with football talent scout Jacek Kulig calling him "dominant" and insisting that he has "huge potential".

Just like Jansson, Bade is a formidable presence in the air, with his 3.7 duels won per game in Ligue 1 this season actually ranking him fifth in the entire division.

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That's also not to mention the fact he makes an impressive 1.9 tackles and 2.4 interceptions per game, which puts him third and first among his Lens teammates this campaign.

The 6 foot 3 Bade could be exactly the kind of "dominant" centre-back Leeds could do with, and signing him could give Bielsa his new Jansson at Elland Road.

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