Leeds United will have to fight off Champions League quarter-finalists Atalanta if they want to welcome Tanguy Kouassi to Elland Road ahead of next season, according to reports from FootMercato.
While Paris Saint-Germain have no trouble hoovering up the silverware over in France, the Ligue 1 leaders do not find it quite so easy holding on to their most exciting young talents.
With Kouassi set to become a free agent in July as it stands, a giant centre-back could be about to follow in the footsteps of Matteo Guendouzi, Boubakary Soumare, Mike Maignan, Kingsley Coman and Moussa Dembele.
The teenager has forced his way into Thomas Tuchel’s first-team plans of late, making 11 appearances since December and scoring his first senior goals in a 4-4 draw with Angers.
Those commanding performances have apparently opened the door to a move to Leeds, according to 90Min. PSG are open to the idea of loaning Kouassi to West Yorkshire if they can agree fresh terms with the coveted Frenchman, perhaps inspired by the difference Marcelo Bielsa has made to the careers of Jack Harrison, Ben White, Kalvin Phillips and co at Elland Road.
But beware the beast of Bergamo.
Atalanta have taken Italian and European football by storm under the adored figure of Gian Piero Gasperini. One of the most exciting and attack-minded sides on the continent are currently fourth in Serie A and battered Valencia en route to qualifying for the Champions League last-eight for the first time ever in March.
According to FM, Gasperini is a huge fan of Kouassi too.
So Leeds need a lot of things to go their way (a new contract being agreed, PSG deciding that a loan move would be for the best) before they can celebrate one of the summer’s most inspired transfers.
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