Manchester United challenge Leeds for Torino defender Nicolas Nkoulou
Leeds United are getting serious about Torino’s Nicolas Nkoulou but Manchester United are also pursuing the defender, according to Tuttosport.
The report suggests that both clubs have made an offer to the centre-back, which his “entourage” is now considering.
Nkoulou’s contract expires in the summer and he would be available as a free agent.
Tuttosport suggest that the player is keen on playing in the Champions League, which hints Man United may hold the advantage.
However, Bielsa has worked with Nkolou before, at Marseille, and supposedly wants the £45,000 a week player “at all costs”.
Fighting Man United
It will be interesting to see how this transfer story unfolds.
On the one hand it will be brilliant to get one over on Man Utd by snatching Nkoulou away from them, but he might not be the most suitable signing.
He could arrive with little expense up front but we already have a number of centre-backs at the squad.
When available we have three strong choices in Liam Cooper, Diego Llorente and Robin Koch.
Pascal Struijk has also emerged as a real talent this year and the arrival of Nkoulou could stifle his development.
Considering he is 30 he would very much be a short-term addition, so would not fit our usual recruitment criteria.
Saying that, he can also play the holding midfield role but we would rather sign young players who can develop into top-class Premier League players.
Struijk is showing signs of that when playing in central defence so hopefully Bielsa seeks to improve him further, rather than reuniting with former player Nkoulou.
In other Leeds United news, ‘There are clauses’ – Phil Hay makes claim about Raphinha deal, calls Leeds transfer ‘very odd’.