Leeds want to sign Nicolas Nkoulou in summer, Bielsa rates him highly - report

Leeds United are wanting to sign Torino defender Nicolas Nkoulou in the summer, according to Calciomercato.

The Cameroonian international becomes a free-agent in the summer, with his current contract set to expire in the coming months.

The Italian outlet have reported on their website that Marcelo Bielsa values him very highly after they worked together during their time at Marseille.

It is reported that Nkoulou will not renew his current deal with Torino.

What isn't made clear is whether that is a decision from the player or the Serie A club, who currently battling relegation in Italy.

Football Italia shared a worrying report back at the start of this month, claiming that Nkolou was set to meet with coach Davide Nicola.

It was suggested that it was to discuss his motivation to help his side out of their current predicament before any contract talks.

The 30-year-old has only started nine games this season in Serie A and has come off the bench twice, proving he isn't exactly the first choice in Turin.

We can't see this one happening.

Diego Llorente finally returned this week and made his second start against Southampton on Tuesday evening, and Gaetano Berardi has also returned to training.

On top of this, Robin Koch is set to return next week and on top of Liam Cooper and Pascal Struijk that makes five potential central defenders at Elland Road.

Bielsa may rate him very highly, but he will be targeting other areas this summer such as midfield, out wide and another striker to challenge Patrick Bamford.

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