Report: Leeds might be tempted by int’l centre-back who once played for Bielsa
If Leeds United lose Ben White ahead of next season, they might be tempted into making a move for Torino centre-back Nicolas N’Koulou, according to LeedsLive.
White, 22, has been in fantastic form while on loan at Elland Road this season but the defender is set to return to Brighton in the summer and has been linked with a number of top Premier League clubs.
If Leeds can win promotion to the Premier League and sign White from Brighton then great, they might not have to sign anyone else in that position.
However it is understood that Cameroon international N’Koulou, 30, could emerge on the Whites’ radar if they lose the 22-year-old.
N’Koulou has played under Marcelo Bielsa before having previously played for Marseille.
The former Monaco and Lyon centre-back has been on the books at Torino since 2017, playing 103 times in all competitions for the Serie A club, with 26 of those appearances coming this season.
Torino were on a six-match losing streak before the coronavirus pandemic led to football in Italy grinding to a halt and in that rotten run of form, N’Koulou was part of a defence that was beaten 7-0 by Atalanta on their home turf.
N’Koulou’s form hasn’t been good this season and he could have to play in the Africa Cup of Nations tournament in January 2021 when football will, hopefully, be back underway.
There are better targets out there for Leeds if they win promotion and miss out on White.
In other Leeds United news, this player who is set to join the Whites in the summer is “on a downwards spiral”.