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Leeds United have moved a step closer to signing Laurens de Bock from Club Brugge after the defender left his club's warm-weather training camp in Spain to finalise a transfer.

De Bock is expected to sign a four-and-a-half-year deal at Elland Road once a deal has been agreed, with the Belgian outfit seeking a fee in the region of £3m for the left-back.

Christiansen has been keen to resolve what is considered a problem position in his team and Cameron Borthwick-Jackson's inauspicious showing in Leeds ' FA Cup defeat at Newport County is likely to have accelerated those plans.

Personal terms have reportedly already been agreed for their top January transfer target and Leeds Live understands that a deal could go through this week.

De Bock travelled with Brugge to their winter training camp in Sotogrande and trained for three days with his fellow teammates, even being pictured smiling during a session, before being granted permission to leave to organise his future.

The 25-year-old has struggled for first-team football this season having made just six appearances in 2017/18 after becoming the victim of the Blauw-Zwart's change to a three-man defensive system.

(Image: Getty Images)

Leeds have earmarked him as someone who can immediately improve their first XI, which Christiansen made clear he would seek in additions during the January transfer window, rather than just stockpiling squad players.

Gaetano Berardi has filled in admirably at left-back but Leeds require a specialist in the role and they hope De Bock can make an instant impression after three games without a win in all competitions.