Palermo joins Leeds United in pursuit of Kyle Lafferty

Leeds United will have to stave off interest from Italy for Kyle Lafferty's signature.

The struggling Championship club, whose owner Massimo Celano identified as a target during the summer - will have to compete with Serie A side Palermo to acquire the 28-year-old forward, according to Amitai Winehouse of the Yorkshire Evening Post.

The Northern Irishman has struggled to win regular playing time with Norwich City ahead of the current season and is said to be eager for a move away from Carrow Road.

Leeds United manager Steve Evans insisted Lafferty's hopes of appearing in the 2016 European Championship in France next summer might depend on a move away from the Premier League side, and is confident Norwich manager will be in tough if the team attempts to offload the former Rangers forward.

"Alex is a friend and when he gets a minute and a decision he will call me." Evans said in November.

"Lafferty is a good player, but does it mean we can bring him to Elland Road and is he the first person we want in the door?

"They are all questions that will remain private but Kyle Lafferty is someone that needs to be playing first team football if he's going to the Euros in the summer."

Lafferty could be intrigued by a move to the Italian side after spending a season with Palermo during the 2013-14 campaign, where he appeared in 34 matches and scored 11 goals.