According to The Telegraph, Leeds United missed out on the signing of Roma defender Marash Kumbulla last summer.
Having starred with Hellas Verona, Kumbulla was a wanted man last summer, eventually earning a move to Roma.
Roma’s total deal came to around €19million (£16million), and he has made 10 Serie A starts this season as his development continues.
The 21-year-old was wanted elsewhere though, and it’s now stated that Leeds were looking to lure him to Elland Road.
The Whites allegedly looked into a deal, but ended up signing Robin Koch and Diego Llorente instead to bolster Marcelo Bielsa’s back line.
Signing Kumbulla would have been a major coup for Leeds following promotion to the Premier League, and he now has the chance to impress against England tonight.
Kumbulla is expected to start for Albania tonight, and he has admitted that he would be open to playing in the Premier League in the future.
For now though, Kumbulla believes he made the right choice by signing for a big Italian team, and it will now be interesting to see whether Leeds keep him on their radar.
“It was some approach from Premier League teams, it is true,” said Kumbulla. “In the end, I preferred to stay in Italy and take the step to one of the biggest teams in Serie A. I made the right choice. I’m in a traditional team with emotional supporters and an ambitious project in Italy. But the Premier League is one of my favourite championships so in the future why not? You never know,” he added.
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