According to recent reports, Leeds United are interested in signing 31-year-old winger Simone Pepe, of Serie A giants Juventus. His contract with the UEFA Champions League's runners-up is set to expire in the next few days, and they are hoping to add to their quality as the Elland Road club aim to push on for a Premier League promotion place next term.
Grafting in a bit-part role
Many Serie A sides are also interested in his services, after the Italian won four league title medal's with the Old Lady. He was in a bit-part role with Juve last term, making twelve league appearances - most of which were substitute cameos. He recorded seven key passes, completed an assist, scored a goal and created eight chances in 248 minutes of Italian football in the 2014/15 campaign.
He has been linked with a move to England since April, with Leeds' owner Massimo Celino publicly stating he was interested in signing a few Italian-based players to join the club. Pepe had this to say, ahead of his release from his contract with the Italian side: "I have spent five fantastic years in amazing company at Juventus. I have given my heart and soul. Juventus have understood me and will keep an incredible feeling forever."
Time to improve on a topsy-turvy campaign
Leeds finished in a rather underwhelming 15th position last term, with Italian forward Mirco Antenucci leading the goalscoring charts with ten in all competitions - their leading scorer. If they were to sign Pepe, it'd be a signal of intent for the future, that they were eager to push on and continue to improve after what was a topsy-turvy campaign in truth. They've had four managers in the space of five months (Brian McDermott, Dave Hockaday, Darko Milanic and Neil Redfearn) and have struggled for stability since the start of the campaign.