By Nick Ware

2nd Dec, 2021 | 10:10am

Leeds United want to sign 22y/o Argentina defender Facundo Medina

Leeds United are in pursuit of RC Lens defender Facundo Medina, according to French news outlet Homme du Match.

Medina, 22, signed for the Ligue 1 club in July 2020 and has since made 40 appearances for them.

Spartak Moscow and Marseille have recently been linked with the central defender, who can also play at left-back.

Now, according to a report from Homme du Match, Leeds are “closely interested” in the two-cap Argentina international, with Marseille and Spartak Moscow also in the race to sign him.

Medina is said to be “perfectly suited” to what Marcelo Bielsa is looking for, with his countryman loving the versatility that he can offer as he bids to strengthen the Whites’ defence.

Close to home

It looks like Bielsa is looking to his native Argentina in pursuit of defenders to shore up his leaky defence, if this report is anything to go by.

Medina may not be playing in Argentina anymore but he represented his country as recently as October when he made a substitute appearance against Uruguay in their World Cup qualifier.

The “special” and “exceptional” defender [Breaking the Lines] has previously been linked to Manchester United, and it’s easy to see why.

He has made 14 Ligue 1 appearances this season, 13 as a starting centre-back, with a pass completion of 90.2 per cent.

That ranks him in the top 20 in the division [minimum games played, WhoScored].

Lens generally line up with a three-man defence so Medina, as a left-footed player, operates on the left.

Bielsa has switched between formations at Leeds and Medina could rival Pascal Struijk as an option on the left-hand side of the defence, while also challenging Junior Firpo as a more defensive option at left-back.

In other Leeds United, the Whites want this Champions League boss with a 74.5% win rate as Bielsa’s successor.