According to the reports from L’equipe as cited by Burnley Express, Leeds United are interested in signing St-Etienne defender Harold Moukoudi. From the Championship, West Bromwich Albion, Derby County and Stoke City are also said to be interested. Burnley are also keeping track of the central defender.
Moukoudi is a Cameroon international who moved to St. Etienne in the summer. The defender has made 15 appearances in all competitions so far. Reports mention that he will be initially available only on a loan deal.
Why are we going to see no more signings from Leeds United this month?
Leeds United were on the lookout for a new striker, and they found their replacement in RB Leipzig’s Jean-Kevin Augustin. With that, Bielsa recently made it clear that Leeds United are not going to sign any more players in the January market. The Whites more or less did their job after losing out on Jack Clarke and Eddie Nketiah.
Nevertheless, maybe the Whites can target Moukoudi in the long run. The 22-year-old made his name while playing for Le Havre and he managed to establish himself for the French second-tier outfit before gaining a move to the top flight with St. Etienne.
What are Moukoudi’s qualities?
Moukoudi is known as a reliable and physical defender. He stands in at 6ft3 and is a dominant force in the air. He also has the physical strength to outmuscle the opposition. The defender is also capable with the ball at his feet. However, playing in the English Championship will undoubtedly test him given the intensity of the league.
Leeds United will undoubtedly look to spend big on defence if they are promoted to the Premier League. Ben White who has emerged as a mainstay this season is only on loan from Brighton. Gaetano Berardi’s future is also uncertain with him being in the final few months of his deal. Hence, the club could be left with just one centre back in Liam Cooper in the summer.
Worth pursuing in the summer transfer window?
Moukoudi could be worth considering in the summer. Le Havre have gone on to produce some top talents in the last few years. The likes of Paul Pogba, Dimitri Payet, Riyad Mahrez and Lassana Diarra came up from there. Moukoudi is still not a finished product so the Whites shouldn’t expect miracles from him if he goes on to move in the future. It remains to be seen whether the other suitors would target him in the last few days of the transfer window. In that case, Leeds United might not get the chance to sign him in the summer.
