By Sam Stone

31st Jan, 2023 | 5:00pm

Leeds United to battle Everton in 11th-hour move for Nicolo Zaniolo

Leeds United are set to battle Everton for Roma attacker Nicolo Zaniolo before the January transfer window slams shut, according to Italian journalist, Ilario Di Giova.

Calciomercato journalist Daniele Longo claimed (Twitter, 30 January) that Leeds had made an approach for the Italian international.

Sky Sports Italy’s Gianluca Di Marzio also reported on 30 January the Serie A side want €27.5million (£24.2million) for the 23-year-old.

Di Giova, who is a reporter for Italian news outlet Radioradio, has since claimed Leeds will try for Zaniolo before the deadline.

“Everton and Leeds go back to Zaniolo and try again by 12.00 pm closing time of the English market,” he wrote (via Twitter, 31 January).

To the wire

This is a move which has emerged late into the month and it remains to be seen just how credible the whisperings coming out of Italy will be. The 23-year-old looks set to depart the Serie A club and has been of interest to a number of Premier League sides.

Another forward is probably not a priority for Jesse Marsch at the moment. Diego Llorente looks set to join Roma on loan for the remainder of the season, which could mean a central defender is more of a pressing concern. Potentially a player to arrive as cover and provide squad depth is an option for the American to look into.

Regardless of the business that gets done between now and the end of the window, it’s been an impressive January for Leeds and fans will be delighted with the business that has been completed.

The pressure and focus will now shift to Marsch as the American looks to finally get a tune out of the group of players. If performances don’t improve, serious questions will be asked of the Leeds boss.

In other Leeds United news, visit our live transfer blog for around-the-clock updates straight from Elland Road.