Leeds and West Brom want to sign 22y/o centre-back on loan, wasn’t in squad yesterday – report
Leeds United and West Brom are not only fighting it out at the top of the Championship but they also seem set to do battle over Saint-Etienne defender Harold Moukoudi.
According to L’Equipe, Leeds, West Brom, Burnley, Derby and Stoke all want to sign Moukoudi, 22, on loan for the rest of the season.
It is understood that none of the sides are interested in a loan-to-buy deal for Moukoudi and while Saint-Etienne are open to offers, they would rather sell the centre-back they signed for free in the summer than agree a temporary exit.
Moukoudi joined Saint-Etienne at the end of last season when his contract expired at Le Havre. However, since then, he has only made 15 appearances in all competitions.
The former France Under-20 international has played in just one of Saint-Etienne’s last six Ligue 1 fixtures and he was not in the squad at all yesterday (Saturday) when Claude Puel’s side won against Nimes.
Could that mean Moukoudi is set to leave the Ligue 1 club?
It seems unlikely at this stage as L’Equipe reports that Saint-Etienne are not exactly keen on having fewer defensive options in the second half of the season.
Selling Moukoudi permanently would see them net the funds to replace him but a loan is unlikely to do that.
Leeds may have to reconsider their interest in the Frenchman if they want to strike a deal for Moukoudi but an extra body in Marcelo Bielsa’s defence would certainly be welcomed.
In other Leeds United news, Phil Hay has shared the latest news he has heard about Adam Forshaw.