Leeds United's summer transfer priorities appear rather clear.
With speculation rife surrounding Gjanni Alioski's future at the club, there is credence to suggest Victor Orta and his recruitment team are in the process of sounding out at the very least a replacement for the Macedonian.
If Alioski opts to leave Elland Road this summer at the end of his four-year deal, Marcelo Bielsa will be left with Stuart Dallas as the sole first-team left-back at his disposal.
Leif Davis' bit-part role means he is still regarded as something of an up-and-coming prospect, while Barry Douglas' contract also expires in the summer, with no indication he will be offered a renewal.
Romain Perraud has been named by The Athletic as an individual of some interest to Leeds United.
The Stade Brest left-back has impressed for the Ligue 1 club, particularly with his attacking capabilities. At 23 years-old, he remains on the younger side in comparison to Alioski who turns 30 next February.
This season has seen Diego Llorente, Robin Koch and Pascal Struijk emerge as replacements for Ben White and Gaetano Berardi, while Liam Cooper has largely deserved to retain his place amongst the Premier League elite.
What it does mean is that Leeds' defence is stocked with high-quality defensive options, many of whom full internationals with the likes of Spain, Germany, Scotland and potentially Belgium and the Netherlands in Struijk's case.
Out wide, Luke Ayling's place at right-back is unchallenged, however the club are light in reserve with utility man Dallas the first-choice back-up along with Jamie Shackleton.
Adding Frenchman Perraud on the left would supplement the Leeds back-line with the attacking intent of Alioski, perhaps without the occasional erratic bouts.
It opens up the possibility that Leeds could boast a European back-line for the opening day of the 2021/22 season, with two options in every position across the back-four:
Right-back : Luke Ayling, Jamie Shackleton
Right-sided centre-back : Diego Llorente, Robin Koch
Left-sided centre-back : Liam Cooper, Pascal Struijk
Left-back : Romain Perraud, Stuart Dallas
Amongst those named, four are full internationals, with France U-21's great hope Illan Meslier in behind. It would be a long way from the defence which started the first game of Bielsa's tenure: Barry Douglas, Liam Cooper, Gaetano Berardi, Luke Ayling and Bailey Peacock-Farrell.
Struijk and Ayling have both been tipped for senior international call-ups for their respective nations, whilst Perraud would certainly do himself no harm by plying his trade in the most visible league of all.
Orta will have a job on his hands to pull it off, with Perraud recently signing a new deal at Brest, but the foundations have already been laid at Elland Road - all that is required now is a cosmetic touch to one of the flanks.
