Leeds United have reportedly resumed talks to sign midfielder Nahitan Nandez from Serie A side Cagliari after discussions over a move to Inter Milan fell through.
According to a report in TMW, Leeds United have reignited their interest in Cagliari’s Nahitan Nandez and have already begun talks ahead of a potential swoop to Elland Road.
The Whites’ have re-entered the race for the Uruguayan midfielder after his expected move to Italian giants Inter Milan fell through due to the differences in valuation of the player.
Inter now have a bit of extra financial wriggle space now that Romelu Lukaku has been moved out to Chelsea; they are keen to improve their squad, having already brought in Edin Dzeko and Denzel Dumfries from Roma and PSV Eindhoven, they are now on the lookout for a midfielder potentially Nandez, but it’s understood that Cagliari were demanding a hefty valuation for their star player.
The failure to complete his dream move has left the player bitter and disappointed, and he’s now open to any escape route provided to him.
The collapse has certainly alerted many potential suitors across the continent who are vying for South American’s signature, and this includes the likes of Premier League sides Tottenham and West Ham.
Leeds have a long-standing interest in Nandez and were reportedly very close to completing a £30 million deal back in June; It was even revealed that Leeds football director Victor Orta himself travelled to Sardinia to seal the transfer deal, but nothing ever materialized.
After coming through the ranks at Penarol in his native Uruguay, the youngster was picked up by Argentine giants Boca Juniors where Nandez built his reputation as one of the promising midfield talents in South America. There was heavy interest from top clubs but nothing solid; finally, in 2019, he landed in mainstream Europe with a much-unfancied move to Cagliari.
Since joining the Rossoblu, the 25-year-old has been key to their survival, making 72 appearances in two years, scoring four goals and setting up seven more.
Marcelo Bielsa is a firm admirer of the Uruguayan’s versatility, whose resilience and work ethic are well suited to Leeds’ intense pressing style of play. Nandez is primarily a central midfielder but can also operate as a full-back, holding midfielder or one of the right/left-sided midfielders to support the winger.
Bielsa and Orta are keen on bolstering the quality depth in their squad and have only added Junior Firpo on loan from Barcelona and brought loanee Jack Harrison on a permanent, so there’s business is still to be done at Elland Road.
Though there were claims that Nandez would be willing to learn his trade better under El Loco, Cagliari seemingly wants in excess of 30 million or a loan with an obligation to buy after the term gets over. While a bit similar to the Firpo deal, Orta is holding out for a loan with an option to buy instead of compulsion.
However, if Leeds are to sign the Uruguayan International, they must act swiftly as rival Tottenham and West Ham are also on the hunt for the talented midfielder.
