Leeds United could miss out on transfer targets Nahitan Nandez and Nicolas Tagliafico, with reports claiming the Cagliari midfielder and the Ajax left-back are both in talks with Serie A champions Inter Milan.
It has not been a great couple of days in Leeds’ pursuit of a new left-sided defender.
Romain Perraud is heading to Southampton, Alex Moreno looks set to stay at Real Betis and, according to TYC Sports, Inter Milan are going full steam ahead in their pursuit of an Eredivisie-winning Argentine international.
Ajax have already confirmed that the £14 million-rated Tagliafico is free to leave the Johan Cruyff Arena during the summer transfer window.
Leeds held initial talks a few weeks ago, according to AS.
But, with Javier Zanetti turning on the charm, Tagliafico now looks set for a dream move to the San Siro instead.
“It is incredible to be linked to Inter,” said the swashbuckling 28-year-old, before admitting that Inter vice-president Javier Zanetti ‘is my idol’.
Disappointment for Marcelo Bielsa
Tagliafico is not the only tough-tackling South American closing in on a move to Inter.
The Nerazzuri’s cash-flow problems have been well documented of late – with Antonio Conte walking away due to fears over the club’s transfer budget – but Inter appear to have found a way to sign a £30 million-rated enforcer without breaking the bank.
Corriere dello Sport claim that Matias Vecino and Radja Nainggolan will go to Cagliari as part of the deal, driving down Nandez’s price-tag to a more accessible level.
Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa is a long-time admirer of the impressive Uruguay international, the Yorkshire giants having renewed their interest in a player who missed out on a move to Elland Road in late-2020.
With Inter closing in, however, Nandez appears to have slipped through Bielsa’s fingers for good.
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