Where Leeds United now stand in Oumar Solet pursuit after new injury twist

Leeds United could sign another centre-back this summer, with Oumar Solet still linked with Elland Road.

The Whites lost Pascal Struijk to Brighton but were fairly quick to replace him in the form of Tarik Muharemovic.

However, with Sebastiaan Bornauw far from inspiring, the chance of adding more depth to the backline is there.

MOT Leeds News have been covering the Whites' search for defenders, including that Solet interest is seperate to Muharemovic.

On the French defender's front, it had gone a little quiet over the last week.

However, now fresh reports out of Italy have added to the ongoing saga involving Solet.

Are Leeds still targeting Oumar Solet?

With the trail going cold on the Solet front, updates out of Italy have now explained why.

According to Tuttomercatoweb, the Whites have cooled their interest and for one specific reason.

The LS11 side have some reservations about the centre-back "due to his knee condition."

It is a situation that left Udinese in quite a negative position, who have eight defenders contracted as they anticipated Solet's exit as a "given."

Now, they are seeking "a solution to avoid overcrowding."

Over the years, the Frenchman has had multiple different issues plaguing him in that area.

In the 2019-2020 season, he tore his anterior cruciate ligament. Following that, he had a meniscus tear in the 2021-2022 season, which kept him out for 44 days.

Then in 2023-2024, he had some problems with his knee keeping him out for another month, as per Transfermarkt.

But, since then, he has not had any reported injuries in the last two seasons, but that previous history has seemingly done enough to pull Daniel Farke's side away.

Leeds have managed to deal with injury-prone players, and that was proven with their treatment of Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

However, he arrived on a free transfer and perhaps that was viewed as a calculated risk.

What next for Leeds in the centre-back market?

Leeds have been linked with many centre-backs so they will have no shortage of options after this Solet update.

Ousmane Diomande was said to be Leeds' dream, but the Ivorian looks close to joining Nottingham Forest now.

Nico Elvedi is another name that has been touted, and his experience could a useful asset for the Premier League outfit.

But, for now it may have to be a waiting game as the Whites are currently focused on getting goalkeeper James Trafford through the door.

Once that deal goes through, then perhaps they will shift their attention back to defence.