Leeds United are weighing up a deal that will see Pep Guardiola’s nemesis Maxwel Cornet move to the Premier League from French giants Lyon, as reported by The Sun.
Consistency remains elusive for this jet-heeled Ivory Coast international but, as Manchester City discovered during the Champions League group-stage three years ago, Cornet, on his day, can verge on the unplayable.
Not content with opening the scoring as Lyon stunned the Premier League giants on their own Etihad soil, Cornet then scored twice in the return fixture in a thrilling 2-2 draw.
“I was very impressed by the talent of Maxwel Cornet,” Guardiola said after the game, gracious in defeat.
If a summer move to Elland Road becomes a reality, the 24-year-old will be looking to give City nightmares again in 2021/22.
Will Bielsa’s Leeds sign Pep Guardiola’s nemesis?
The Sun reports that Leeds are interested, with Marcelo Bielsa looking to add some speed and skill to his forward line – two attributes that Cornet has in spades.
By the way, did we mention that the former Metz forward gave Guardiola nightmares again last year, finishing in style as Lyon stunned City in the Champions League quarter-finals?
He is not exactly prolific but Cornet seems to save his goals for the biggest occasions.
Lyon’s £20 million demands represent a rather sizeable obstacle, however, with the report suggesting that Leeds could wait, in the hope that his price-tag drops as the transfer window goes on.
Interestingly, Cornet adapted to a new-look left-back role last season, suggesting that Leeds see him as a potential replacement for the out-of-contract Gianni Alioski rather than someone capable of rivalling Jack Harrison or Raphinha in Bielsa’s front three.
Leeds have been linked with a whole host of left-backs recently, although potential deals for the likes of Nicolas Tagliafico, Romain Perraud and Alex Moreno feel increasingly unlikely.
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