Young centre-back Diogo Monteiro is ‘emerging as a target for Leeds United’, according to Phil Hay.

The Lowdown: Monteiro profiled

Monteiro is 17 years of age but will turn 18 before the end of the month. Capable of playing on the right or left side as a centre-back, the Portuguese teenager is valued at €500,000, as per Transfermarkt.

The right-footed defender currently plies his trade for Swiss side Servette FC and has made seven senior first-team appearances for the club after progressing through their academy.

The Latest: Leeds interest

Hay took to Twitter on Wednesday morning to share an Elland Road transfer update.

The reliable reporter said Monteiro has been ‘identified as part of the anticipating talent programme at Leeds’, with the club lining up a bid.

The Verdict: One to watch?

The Whites have bolstered their first-team ranks this month with moves for Max Wober and Georginio Rutter, and it looks as if Victor Orta has his eye on strengthening the club’s academy ranks with a move for Monteiro.

You’d expect that should a move go through, Monteiro would initially ply his trade at Thorp Arch for the club’s youth sides, looking to feature in the U18s or U21s, hoping to catch the eye of Jesse Marsch.

It seems as if this could be one to watch, with a young goalkeeper also possibly another to monitor, with links to Club Brugge’s Senne Lammens emerging this month.

The Whites have trusted their academy system since returning to the Premier League, handing out a record amount of teenage debuts in the top-flight last season, and who knows, Monteiro could become the next to emerge as a first-team player.