Leeds are heading for a major transfer blunder amid an update on their pursuit of Torino’s Nicolas Nkoulou.
What’s the story?
Reports in recent weeks have suggested that Marcelo Bielsa’s side are keen on luring the Cameroon international to Elland Road in the summer once his contract with Torino comes to an end.
Now, Italian publication CalcioMercato have delivered a major update on the situation, revealing that contacts between Leeds and the centre-back have become “increasingly intense”.
Do Leeds need a new CB?
Yes!
No!
The report adds that Nkoulou is now “further and further away” from renewing his deal with Torino, and that his exit seems certain this summer.
Radrizzani won’t be happy
If there’s one area of the pitch where Leeds appear to be well-stocked, then centre-back would surely be one of them. When fully fit, the Whites can call upon the likes of Liam Cooper, Robin Koch, Diego Llorente and Pascal Struijk, while Luke Ayling can also fill in there from full-back whenever needed too.
And with academy starlet Charlie Cresswell shining for the U23s and waiting for his chance to impress in the first-team, Leeds would surely be better off turning their attentions elsewhere or promoting the youngster instead of signing Nkoulou.
Not only that, but with Nkoulou set to turn 31 later this month, the defender is hardly someone entering the peak years of his career, and there would be a real question about whether he’d only be coming to the Premier League for one last pay-cheque.
A new centre-back should be the least of Victor Orta’s priorities, and spending big wages on signing an ageing Nkoulou surely won’t have Andrea Radrizzani happy as he looks to run a tight ship financially. It would be an unforgivable mistake from the Leeds hierarchy to be focused on making a move for the 6 foot Cameroon ace this summer.
Meanwhile, Leeds must block a move for this “extraordinary” star…