Report: Bielsa has wanted Leeds to sign £36m man since 2019

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Marcelo Bielsa is a big fan of Nahitan Nandez, but Leeds United look set to miss out on a midfielder the Argentine tactician has been admiring for some time, as reported by Centro Trentuno.

Any doubts about the pulling power of the Premier League have been ruthlessly dispelled a number of eye-catching deals completed by the Yorkshire giants since ending their 16-year exile from the top flight.

In Diego Llorente, Rodrigo Moreno and Robin Koch, Leeds have signed a trio of internationals from two of Europe’s major leagues, while Michael Cuisance looks set to swap European champions Bayern Munich for life at Elland Road.

Bielsa, not that he will show it, should be thrilled with a quartet of signings that not only provide the kind of depth he didn’t have last year but also improve his starting XI no end.

Although if the former Marseille boss was hoping that a Premier League promotion would help him sign a player he’s had his eye on since the little midfielder was flying around the Argentine top flight, he will be disappointed.

Centro Trentuno reports that Bielsa first became aware of Nandez’s tireless, tenacious talents at Boca Juniors.

He tried to sign the Uruguayan international last year but Leeds, then a Championship team, were blown out of the water by Cagliari.

Speaking to TMW on Wednesday, Cagliari president Tommaso Guilini confirmed that Leeds had indeed shown an interest in his £36 million enforcer. But it is too late in the window now for an agreement to be reached.

“(Nandez’s move to England) is excluded, because it would weaken us and that’s not what we want to do. It’s too late now, there wouldn’t be time to replace him,” Guilini says.