Leeds United have been handed a transfer boost over Sassuolo star Jeremie Boga amid speculation that they were interested in signing him.

What's the story?

The Daily Mail had claimed over the summer that Marcelo Bielsa's side had shown an interest in signing the Ivory Coast international, who was previously on the books at Chelsea in his earlier years.

Now, Italian publication Calciomercato claim that Boga is set to leave Sassuolo in the summer of 2022, and has made it clear that he will not be signing a new contract (his current deal comes to an end in 18 months time).

It's also suggested that instead of losing him on a free, Sassuolo are ready to accept a much-reduced price in order to get some sort of transfer fee in for him.

Shades of Patrick Bamford

Given his previous ties to Stamford Bridge when he was a youngster, and failing to make the grade there, there are some similarities between Boga and Bamford.

What has never been in question, however, is the Ivorian's ability.

His former coach at Chelsea, Michael Beale, said: "The most unique talent and I'm talking in a window of being 13/14 and he just beat the other team possibly on his own is a young boy called Jeremie Boga.

"He just beat teams on his own, such a lovely boy. I thought wow, this boy is a supreme talent. he can stop and go and over three or four yards, he can just drift past you."

As per Whoscored, Boga averaged an impressive 3.2 dribbles per game in Serie A last season, which was higher than any Leeds player, even Raphinha (1.9).

He also managed 1.2 shots per game (that would rank him just outside the top five among Bielsa's current squad), while he boasted a whopping 89.4% pass accuracy (the highest of any player that started more than five times for the Whites).

This campaign has been similarly prolific, with Boga averaging more dribbles than Raphinha while boasting more key passes per game than Bamford too.

And, speaking on the One Leeds Fan Channel on Youtube, Conor McGilligan talked up the prospect of Boga arriving at Elland Road and the impact he could make.

He said: "It looks like Boga has been a massive hit with Sassuolo since moving from Chelsea, I believe it was back in 2018. He can play anywhere along the frontline, he’s fast and he’d bring a real variety to Leeds’ attacking play."

If reports are to be believed and Sassuolo would accept a cut-price fee for the £18m-rated flier, then Leeds should be all over it.

Meanwhile, Beren Cross has delivered an update on Leeds' pursuit of this man...