MOT View: Leeds appear unlikely to sign Ligue 1 defender based on reliable journalist tweet

Telegraph journalist Mike McGrath appears to have poured cold water over any potential Leeds United move for St. Etienne defender Harold Moukoudi.

L'Equipe reported over the weekend that the Whites are set to challenge West Brom, Stoke City, and Derby County for the 22-year-old.

McGrath was asked by a Leeds fan on his personal Twitter account whether there was a chance of Moukoudi arriving at Elland Road this week.

"Not heard on Leeds in for Moukoudi, just Stoke and Derby over the weekend, but clearly player interesting Championship clubs," he wrote.

It was suggested that the French club are open to the proposal of letting Moukoudi leave the club, but this latest update will make it much less likely of that happening.

St. Etienne would reportedly prefer a permanent exit. With Financial Fair Play rules creeping up on numerous Championship clubs though, a loan-to-buy would be much more sustainable for Leeds - something the French club do not appear to want.

Leeds could only have two senior central defenders next season should Ben White not turn his loan stay into a permanent one. Liam Cooper and Gaetano Berardi would be the only duo available to Marcelo Bielsa.

Moukoudi has not been involved in the six previous matchdays for the French club and would add much better competition in West Yorkshire.

Compared to White and Cooper, Moukoudi has impressed massively. The 22-year-old has completed more tackles per game, as well as more clearances and blocks [WhoScored].

However, with McGrath not hearing about any immediate interest from Leeds in Moukoudi, it seems massively unlikely that anything could happen this week.

In other Leeds United news, Jim White has shared his instant verdict on the signing of Augustin