Leeds talks to sign Torino centre-back Nkoulou become ‘increasingly intense’
Leeds United are seeing talks to sign Torino centre-back Nicolas Nkoulou become “increasingly intense”, according to CalcioMercato.
The Italian news outlet claims Marcelo Bielsa wants to sign the 30-year-old Cameroon international, who has decided that he will leave Torino at the end of the season when his contract expires.
It is understood the former Marseille defender, who played for Bielsa in France, has “no intention” of renewing his deal with Serie A strugglers Torino.
Another centre-back?
Do Leeds really need to sign a new centre-back in the summer transfer window?
If everyone is fit, Bielsa has Diego Llorente, Robin Koch, Liam Cooper and Pascal Struijk to play in the middle of his defence while Luke Ayling and Kalvin Phillips can also fill in.
It’s hardly an area that needs covering and in terms of strength in depth, it’s one of the strongest positions in the Leeds squad.
So do Leeds need Nkoulou?
He’s going to be a free agent by the sounds of it so signing someone with his vast experience without a transfer fee could be clever business.
Nkoulou has 72 caps for Cameroon, playing in the World Cup in the process, played over 250 times in Ligue 1 with Marseille, Monaco and Lyon and over 100 times in Serie A with Torino.
The 30-year-old has also played in the Champions League and Europa League so he’s definitely someone who can add some extra experience to the Leeds backline.
But in Leeds’ defence there are internationals for Germany, Spain and Scotland while young Struijk has emerged on the radar of Belgium.
Nkoulou would be no more than back-up – but he could be a handy back-up option to have give the injury issues this season.
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