Leeds United are preparing for a major defensive rebuild this summer after agreeing to sell Pascal Struijk to Premier League rivals Brighton, forcing Daniel Farke and the club’s recruitment team into the market for a new commanding centre-back.
Struijk’s decision not to extend his contract left Leeds with little choice but to cash in while his value remained high. Rather than risk losing one of their key defenders for a reduced fee later, the club moved quickly to negotiate a deal with Brighton.
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Brighton are expected to pay an initial £15 million for the Dutch defender, with a further £3 million in performance-related add-ons. While Struijk’s departure will provide Leeds with valuable transfer funds, replacing one of Daniel Farke’s most trusted defenders has immediately become one of the club’s biggest priorities.
The Whites are now stepping up their search for a left-footed centre-back capable of fitting seamlessly into Farke’s possession-based style, and one name has rapidly emerged as a leading candidate—Real Betis defender Natan.
Leeds preparing ambitious move for Natan
According to reports from Spain, Leeds are preparing an opening offer worth around £30 million for the Brazilian defender.
The proposal is believed to be close to completion, with Leeds hoping to test Real Betis’ resolve before other clubs enter the race.
However, Betis are in no rush to sell. The Spanish side reportedly value Natan at around £38 million and are expected to reject any opening proposal below that figure.
If Leeds eventually agree to meet Betis’ valuation, it would represent one of the biggest transfer fees in the club’s history and underline their determination to build a squad capable of surviving—and thriving—in the Premier League.
The willingness to invest such a significant amount also reflects how highly Daniel Farke rates the Brazilian.
Why Natan has become a priority
Replacing Pascal Struijk is far from straightforward.
Beyond his defensive qualities, Struijk offered balance to Leeds’ back line thanks to his left foot, composure in possession and ability to initiate attacks from deep. Farke wants those qualities preserved rather than changing the structure of his defence entirely.
Natan appears to tick almost every box.
The Brazilian naturally plays on the left side of central defence and is comfortable operating in either a back four or a back three. His passing range allows him to break opposition lines, while his calmness under pressure makes him an ideal defender for teams that want to dominate possession.
One of his biggest strengths is his confidence carrying the ball forward before picking out progressive passes into midfield. Rather than simply clearing danger, he looks to start attacks, something that perfectly matches Farke’s tactical philosophy.
A defender with impressive experience
Although still only in his early twenties, Natan has already built an impressive résumé.
He began his professional career in Brazil before earning a move to Europe, where his performances quickly attracted attention.
During his time with Real Betis, the defender has continued his development against some of Europe’s best attacking players in La Liga.
His performances have showcased a combination of athleticism, positional awareness and composure rarely found in players of his age.
Standing at around 6ft 2in, Natan combines physical strength with excellent mobility. He is comfortable defending one-versus-one situations, strong in aerial duels and possesses the recovery pace required to deal with quick Premier League forwards.
His versatility is another reason Leeds are so interested.
While naturally a centre-back, Natan has occasionally been used in different defensive systems and has shown he can adapt to varying tactical demands.
Leeds keeping alternative options open
Despite their growing interest in Natan, Leeds are not placing all their hopes on one transfer.
The club continue to monitor several defensive targets, including Wolves defender Ladislav Krejci, who has also been strongly linked with Elland Road.
Krejci remains highly regarded by Leeds’ recruitment department because of his Premier League experience and ability to settle quickly into English football.
However, sources suggest Natan’s profile may better suit what Farke wants tactically.
His ability to play progressive football from the back, combined with his age and long-term potential, makes him an extremely attractive option despite the higher transfer fee.
Leeds are expected to evaluate both deals carefully before deciding whether to increase their offer to Betis or pursue alternative targets.
A statement of intent from Leeds
After earning promotion back to the Premier League, Leeds understand that simply returning to the top flight is not enough.
The club are determined to avoid repeating the mistakes that led to relegation and want to build a squad capable of competing consistently against England’s best teams.
Strengthening the defence has become one of the biggest priorities.
Farke knows his side will face significantly stronger attacks every week in the Premier League, making defensive recruitment just as important as improving the forward line.
Investing heavily in a player like Natan would send a clear message that Leeds are prepared to spend on quality rather than simply adding numbers.
Why Natan could thrive in England
Every player arriving from overseas needs time to adapt to the Premier League, but Natan possesses many of the attributes required to make the transition successful.
His physicality should help him cope with English football’s intensity, while his pace allows him to defend against fast attackers in open spaces.
Technically, he is already comfortable receiving possession under pressure and distributing the ball accurately, qualities that have become increasingly important for modern centre-backs.
His aggressive style without the ball is balanced by intelligence in possession, giving him the complete profile of a defender capable of developing into one of the Premier League’s standout centre-backs.
A crucial transfer battle ahead
Negotiations are expected to intensify over the coming days as Leeds prepare to submit their first official bid.
Whether Betis soften their stance remains to be seen, but the Spanish club are aware they hold a valuable asset and are unlikely to negotiate cheaply.
For Leeds, replacing Pascal Struijk with a player of genuine Premier League quality is essential if they are to remain competitive next season.
Natan appears to fit every requirement Daniel Farke has outlined—a left-footed defender, composed on the ball, physically dominant, tactically intelligent and young enough to continue improving.
The only remaining obstacle may be the transfer fee.
If Leeds decide to meet Betis’ asking price of around £38 million, they could secure one of the most exciting defensive signings of the summer and make a major statement ahead of their return to Premier League football.
