Leeds United want Ajax defender Nicolas Tagliafico

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Leeds United have entered the transfer race to sign Ajax defender Nicolas Tagliafico in the summer.

Image source: eurofootballrumours.com

Nicolas Tagliafico, 28, has established himself as one of the reliable left-backs playing in Europe over the last few years. The Argentinean international has made 136 appearances for the Eredivisie side across all competitions, scoring 13 goals. However, Ajax are resigned to losing their star defender this summer, with Manchester City also believed to be in the chase for his signature.

The 28-year-old defender, who has represented Argentina 28 times since making his international debut back in 2017, is rated at just £17.5 million. Tagliafico has only two years left on his existing deal but is thought to have a pact with Ajax that he can leave at the end of the season.

Leeds have performed well upon their return to the Premier League

Leeds United have performed really well after returning to the Premier League this season and look to achieve a top-half finish. The Yorkshire giants have excited the fans as well as the neutrals across the globe with their high-octane, fast and energetic style of play under the stewardship of Marcelo Bielsa.

Marcelo Bielsa’s side ran out 2-1 winners over Manchester City last weekend, with Stuart Dallas’ brace giving them victory regardless of the fact they played with 10 men for the entire second half following Liam Cooper’s sending off. And they followed up that incredible win over Pep Guardiola’s City with a dramatic 1-1 draw with Liverpool at Elland Road on Monday.

The Whites lack quality and depth in certain areas of their squad

Leeds will want to go a step further and challenge for a place in Europe next season. However, they lack quality and depth in few areas of the pitch which needs addressing during the summer transfer window. Now that the Whites have all but confirmed their top-flight status for another year, Bielsa must shift his focus towards reinforcing his squad.

Despite Patrick Bamford establishing himself as the main man up front, a striker with a proven goalscoring record should be high on the manager’s wishlist in order to achieve a better scoring record. Plus, the Argentinean tactician must tighten up his backline that has conceded 50 goals in 32 games. In addition to a centre-back, he has to bring in a new left-back.

Primarily a winger, Ezgjan Alioski has performed admirably well at left-back this term. Bielsa has rotated Alioski and Dallas for the left-back spot, but Leeds must sign a specialist left-back to solidify their backline.

Nicolas Tagliafico could be a top acquisition for Leeds

Nicolas Tagliafico, to that end, can be a solid addition as he can play at left-back, out wide or even as a left wing-back. He has been a consistent performer for Ajax over the last few seasons and would be an instant upgrade on the likes of Alioski and Dallas. The Argentinean, who is a seasoned campaigner and boasts of considerable European experience in his CV, certainly fits the bill perfectly at Elland Road.

With that in mind, Leeds beating off competition for Tagliafico in summer would make complete sense and this looks like a move that could pay off handsomely for Bielsa.

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