After a summer filled with transfer speculation, Lucas Perri is finally nearing an exit from Leeds United to join Serie A side Torino.
The Brazilian shot-stopper was targeted by the Italian club early in the window, but Leeds initially delayed the move until they secured James Trafford as his replacement. A subsequent injury to Perri stalled progress further, allowing Marseille an opportunity to hijack the transfer with a permanent bid.
However, Torino restructured their proposal with Leeds to regain control of the race. Unlike Marseille’s permanent transfer attempt, Torino negotiated a paid loan deal that includes a 14 million euro option to buy at the conclusion of the 2026-27 season.
According to French journalist Valentin Feuillette, Torino also successfully convinced the player by finalizing personal terms ahead of time. Perri has pre-agreed to a three-year contract with an option for a fourth year, which will automatically activate if Torino triggers their buy option next summer. The goalkeeper is expected in Turin shortly to complete his medical examination.
Pre-Agreed Terms in Loan Deals
While not universal, pre-arranging long-term contract details during loan-to-buy negotiations is a recognized practice in modern football. It ensures a seamless transition if the loaning club decides to make the transfer permanent.
A notable recent instance occurred when Nicolas Jackson moved from Chelsea to Bayern Munich on loan. Jackson agreed to a prospective five-year deal with the German giants beforehand. However, Bayern ultimately chose not to activate their purchase option, resulting in Jackson’s return to Chelsea.
With Trafford now in place at Elland Road, Leeds United will be hoping to avoid a similar outcome, relying on Torino to execute the purchase clause and finalize Perri’s long-term move to Italy.