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Talks held: Leeds contact club over move for £9m centre-mid with 'pure technique' – report
Leeds United are in the hunt to sign Toulouse midfielder Kouadio Konè, according to Calciomercato.
The 19-year-old is described in the report as an ‘atypical midfielder’ with ‘pure technique’ and with the versatility to play in any of the central midfield positions.
This isn’t the first time that Leeds have been linked with the player.
In the summer, RMC Sport journalist Mohamed Bouhafsi said that Leeds had held talks with the player’s agents.
The Calciomercato report claims that Toulouse would be looking for a fee of over £9m for the player and that contact has been made over a potential January move.
AC Milan are also reportedly in the hunt for the young talent.
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Midfielder needed
Leeds need a midfielder.
At the moment, there’s no real replacement in the squad for Kalvin Phillips, who has missed three games with injury and has already been pulled back into the centre of defence to cover absences there.
Konè has established himself in the Toulouse side that was relegated from Ligue 1 last season but £9m seems like a lot for a player who remains largely untested.
However, at over 6ft tall, he’s an imposing presence and does offer the sort of versatility that Leeds need.
The France Under-19 international can play in that crucial holding midfield role and would offer cover throughout the midfield.
That’s looking like it’s going to be weakened again with Adam Forshaw reportedly heading for a January loan move to build his fitness up.
Leeds are planning for a quiet January but said they would take any opportunities that come their way.
If they can negotiate a good deal for Konè, this could be the opportunity that Leeds are looking for.
In other Leeds United news, Orta made big Leeds transfer blunder as £27m ace flying in WhoScored Team of 2020