Report: French side on verge of signing £13m Leeds and Everton-linked defender

Everton and newly promoted Leeds United are reportedly on the lookout for a new right-back this summer.

Marcelo Bielsa’s side are gearing up for their first season back in the Premier League and have been active in the transfer window.

Leeds have signed Rodrigo from Valencia and Robin Koch from Freiburg. They have also completed the signings of Illan Meslier and Helder Costa on permanent deals after impressive loan spells last season.

Everton have also been pretty strong in this summer’s transfer window. The Toffees have signed Allan, Abdoulaye Doucoure and Colombian superstar James Rodriguez as Carlo Ancelotti aims to finish in one of the European spots at the end of his first full season in charge.

Everton and Leeds both still need a new right-back. The Toffees rejected the chance to sign Djibril Sidibe on a permanent deal from Monaco. Ancelotti only has Seamus Coleman and Jonjoe Kenny at the moment but reports have claimed the latter is up for sale. (Liverpool Echo)

Leeds, on the other hand, have only Luke Ayling as their senior, natural right full-back. Both clubs have been linked with moves for a new right-back and, if reports are to be believed, were battling each other for the same player.

AS Roma’s Alessandro Florenzi was linked with a move to both clubs last month. Milan Live claimed Bielsa is interested in signing the £13 million-rated defender, while Di Marzio revealed Ancelotti wanted to bring him to Goodison Park.

Leeds and Everton miss out on Florenzi

Florenzi is a hugely experienced defender having played more than 300 games for club and country during the past decade. The Italian is hugely versatile too, which makes him an attractive option for many clubs.

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Sadly, Everton and Leeds United are both set to miss out. Di Marzio claims Florenzi is on the verge of joining Paris Saint-Germain on a season-long loan deal, with the move expected to be completed in the near future.

Leeds and Everton will have to look elsewhere for a new right-back. Florenzi would have been a good option for either club – but it wasn’t meant to be.