Leeds United have edged a 'step closer' to signing goalkeeper Senne Lammens in the January transfer market, according to reports.

What's the word?

As per the Express, the Whites are keen on signing the 20-year-old so he could provide a backup option in the squad to current number one Illan Meslier.

The report adds that their hopes of bringing Lammens to the Premier League had been handed a boost as his current side Club Brugge have just signed Joe Bursik.

Indeed, the England under-21s shot-stopper has just signed a four-and-a-half-year contract in Belgium after agreeing to a winter switch. This should now open the door for Leeds to make a move for the club's other young goalkeeper.

The story added: "Lammens is free to negotiate with foreign clubs this January as his contract expires at the end of the season. The 20-year-old is unlikely to sign a new deal with Brugge and has been linked with a Premier League switch."

"Leeds are in talks with Lammens over a potential cut-price deal that could see him move this month rather than for free in the summer. A deal moved a step closer when Brugge signed the highly-rated Bursik on Saturday."

Depth needed?

Right now, Leeds also have two other men as their alternative goalkeeping options in the form of Joel Robles and Kristoffer Klaesson. However, the former is 32 years of age and his contract expires in the summer, while the latter is just 22 and has only one senior appearance for the club so may not be trusted to make the step up in a regular basis if something was to happen to Meslier. 

While Lammens is pretty young himself at 20 years of age, he has made four senior appearances for Club Brugge already as well as being part of the squad which has won silverware over the past three consecutive seasons.

While Leeds have been busy adding the likes of Georginio Rutter and Maximilian Wober to the senior side for notable transfer fees, fans may well appreciate the club planning for the future with this sort of deal too. After all, Meslier has long been tipped to make a move to Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur and so his departure could be on the horizon.