Leeds United were strongly linked with Bologna’s Filip Helander over the summer.
Bernardo Silva of Portugal competes for the ball with Filip Helander of Sweden
After seeing Kyle Bartley return to Swansea City following a strong season-long loan spell last term, many expected Leeds to invest in a new centre back to partner Pontus Jansson.
Instead, Leeds decided to bring in Everton’s Matthew Pennington on loan, as well as promoting Conor Shaughnessy to the first team, with Liam Cooper stepping up so far this season.
Leeds may yet look to splash the cash on a new central defender in January despite a strong start to the season defensively, but they may have missed their chance to sign one of their summer targets.
Goal reported back in June that Leeds were hoping to sign Bologna defender Filip Helander, but the alleged £5.3million asking price seemingly forced the Whites to pursue other targets.
Helander, 24, played alongside Leeds star Jansson at Malmo, meaning they could have rekindled their partnership in the heart of the Leeds defence, making Helander a potentially ideal target for the Whites.
However, after barely featuring last season, Helander’s fortunes at Bologna appear to be changing. The Swede has made three appearances this term, and his impressive displays have now been praised in the Italian media.
Corriere di Bologna (Press Reader) have praise Helander’s performances, naming him as Bologna’s surprise of the season, whilst suggesting that he is redeeming himself after questions over his future this summer.
His upturn in form is now likely to save his Bologna career, and Leeds may now have missed the chance to reunite him with Jansson in the heart of their defence – but with just three goals conceded in the Championship this term, Thomas Christiansen may feel comfortable with his current options anyway, with Helander maybe only a target if Leeds desperately need a centre back in January.
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