It's no secret where Leeds need to strengthen the most this summer.

They may have conceded the fewest goals of anyone in the Championship this term, but they have just one fit senior centre-half.

Ben White has gone back to Brighton after the conclusion of his loan spell while Gaetano Berardi is yet to be offered a new deal after suffering an ACL tear.

Although they couldn't have planned for Berardi's injury, Victor Orta and co should have been preparing a list of defensive targets ahead of time.

After all, White was always going to leave and Berardi's contract was also supposed to expire this summer. 

Liam Cooper is the sole centre-back, that's if you discount the likes of Pascal Struijk and Oliver Casey. 

With that in mind, signing a central defender should be of utmost importance.

Ben Godfrey has been linked to Leeds, providing they can't do a deal for White, while Daniel Ayala was an option for a period of time.

However, another long term target has become the centre of attention again.

That happens to be Juan Foyth. Reports a few months ago seemed to claim that the Tottenham defender was close to signing, but Phil Hay then countered that by saying a move was off the cards.

Though, according to Italian media, he could still arrive.

TuttoMercatoWeb posted a story this week suggesting that the Whites were closer to signing the player in a deal worth £15m.

GIVEMESPORT'S Matt Dawson says...

Although White and Godfrey would be far more attractive signings for Leeds, you cannot undermine the need for Premier League and elite experience.

Foyth may only be 22 years of age, but he is arguably ahead of the aforementioned targets. He's been capped ten times at international level and has been in and around Champions League squads on multiple occasions.

Possessing a pass success rate of 86.4%, he is the perfect Marcelo Bielsa player when it comes to his defensive line. He has the ability to play out from the back which has become a key attribute for the Argentine head coach.

On top of that, he is versatile.

Foyth can play as a centre-half but also has the ability to feature at right-back. Bielsa simply loves a versatile individual with defender Luke Ayling playing in both positions this season.

That's without considering someone like Stuart Dallas who has become the ultimate utility man. 

Foyth is calm in possession and most important of all for a small squad he would offer cover in a multitude of positions.

£15m may sound like a lot for a team who have been plying their trade in the Championship for 16 years, but it's a bargain as far as Premier League money is concerned.