Journalist told Leeds-linked Nkoulou ‘is a very good player’
Leeds United are reportedly interested in signing Torino centre-back Nicolas Nkoulou, who is highly-rated in Italy.
After CalcioMercato reported Leeds were interested in signing Nkoulou, TeamTalk editor James Marshment, who supports the Whites, took to Twitter to share what he’s been told about the 30-year-old Cameroon international.
He said: “Told by those who’ve seen him that N’Koulou is a very good player.
“Whether Leeds genuinely want him remains to be seen, though we have struggled at times in the central defensive areas this season.”
Another centre-half?
Leeds signed Robin Koch and Diego Llorente to bolster their defensive line in the summer and while both of those have had injury issues this term, Marcelo Bielsa has coped.
Pascal Struijk has stepped up and played so well he’s within a shout of getting a call-up to the Belgium national squad while Liam Cooper and Luke Ayling can also play there.
Nkoulou isn’t someone who’d have much resale value, if any at all, if Leeds sign him. Although he’s set to be out of contract in the summer as it stands, it’s likely that Elland Road would be Nkoulou’s final home or at least one of his last.
The defender will turn 31 next month and Leeds don’t seem to be fans of signing players the wrong side of 30 since Victor Orta came in as director of football.
If the Whites are going to bolster their centre-back options then they’re bound to go after youngsters who can learn from Cooper, Koch and Llorente and serve as back-up options who play mainly for the Under-23s.
We’ll see what happens because there have been a lot of injury issues this season. But if Leeds are going to spend money in the summer, they’re unlikely to go big on centre-backs.
In other Leeds United news, fans are drooling over this major Phil Hay transfer update.