Leeds United has expressed interest in PSV Eindhoven’s Brazilian full-back, Mauro Júnior, with reports indicating the club has already initiated contact with his representatives. As noted by Voetbal International, he is on the radar of several clubs, including FC Porto and other Premier League teams, as well as multiple squads from Southern Europe.
Leeds United targets PSV’s versatile full-back valued at €18m this summer
Mauro Júnior, who joined PSV from Desportivo Brasil in 2017, primarily plays as a left-back but can also contribute in a defensive midfield role. Over his nine seasons at Philips Stadion, he has secured four Eredivisie titles and made 200 appearances, scoring nine goals and providing 23 assists across all competitions. This season, he has notably contributed one goal and 11 assists in 37 matches, catching the attention of numerous European clubs.
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Although Júnior is contracted with PSV until 2029, his contract reportedly includes a release clause at a relatively low fee, which has garnered attention from Leeds and Porto. To stave off interest, PSV is looking to offer him an improved contract to remove this clause. However, Júnior’s aspirations complicate the situation; he seeks to represent the Brazilian national team, a goal he feels is not progressing while at Eindhoven.
Leeds United faces stiff competition from European rivals
Daniel Farke’s team finished 14th this season with 47 points, which means they cannot offer European football next season. In contrast, FC Porto, having won the Primeira Liga and qualified for the Champions League, has a significant advantage in this regard. Farke has openly acknowledged the lack of a dedicated replacement for Gabriel Gudmundsson, who has struggled with injuries this season, making this position a genuine transfer priority heading into the summer window.
Is Mauro Júnior a strong option for Daniel Farke?
EINDHOVEN, NETHERLANDS – AUGUST 03: Mauro Júnior of PSV in action during the Johan Cruijff Schaal match between PSV and Go Ahead Eagles at Philips Stadion on August 03, 2025 in Eindhoven, Netherlands. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
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Mauro Júnior presents an intriguing possibility for Farke, yet the dynamics are more complex than they may appear. He excels in an attacking system that allows him the freedom to advance, fitting well into PSV’s aggressive style. Leeds has shown potential in this regard under Farke this season. The concern lies not in his skill but in the competition he faces.
FC Porto can provide him with Champions League football and a pathway that could bolster his chances of joining Brazil’s national team. Leeds United is unable to offer that kind of opportunity. While a release clause makes a financial agreement feasible—Transfermarkt values him at €18m and Leeds has access to £144.5m in Premier League prize money this season—the question remains whether signing him merely as a squad backup does justice to his capabilities. If Farke envisions him as a starter capable of challenging Gudmundsson, then acquiring him makes sense. Conversely, if he is intended solely as cover, Porto will likely prevail in this transfer pursuit.