Leeds United have reportedly identified Sporting Lisbon midfielder Joao Palhinha as a potential transfer target.

Despite starring on loan at Braga during the last campaign, Sporting are happy to cash in on the 25-year-old before the end of the summer window.

With Palhinha able to play in central defence and midfield, Wolverhampton Wanderers have been heavily linked with the Portuguese.

However, A Bola claims that Leeds have made contact with Sporting in a bid to edge out their domestic rivals.

Although CSKA Moscow are admirers of the versatile player, he is said to favour a switch to the Premier League at this stage of his career.

Sporting allegedly value Palhinha in the region of £13m.