In a recent report, The Daily Mirror has revealed that Leeds United have been offered a chance to land Maxwel Cornet from Olympique Lyonnais this summer. However, it is understood that the Whites are not willing to pay Lyon’s £20m asking price of the Ivory Coast international (via The Daily Mirror).
Cornet’s Impressive Form In The Ligue 1 Last Season
It has been a productive season for Cornet in French football as he caught the eye with his performances on the left side of Lyon’s backline. The 24-year-old registered four goals and six assists in 39 matches for the French outfit last season in multiple competitions.
The Bregbo-born talent deserves credit for being a reliable left-back after he averaged 1.9 tackles, 1.2 interceptions, 1.2 clearances, 0.6 shots, 0.7 key passes and 0.6 dribbles per 90 minutes in the previous Ligue 1 campaign. He even distributed the ball accurately from the left flank, as evidenced by his pass completion rate of 80.8% in top-flight football (stats via whoscored).
At 24, Cornet is a player on the rise and would add some much-needed stability to the Leeds backline if they decide to bring him to Elland Road during this summer transfer window. The way the former Metz youngster has been playing this year, he could be tempted with the opportunity to make a switch to the West Yorkshire outfit and taste regular Premier League football in the coming seasons.
Should The Whites Move In For Cornet This Summer?
Cornet was often used as a left-back last season but he is versatile enough to feature as a winger on either flank if required. He boasts electric pace that allows him to get past his marker out on the wide areas. The Ivory Coast international has added some goals and assists to his game over the past ten months and deserves credit for proving his worth as a capable defender at the back. He is a tidy passer of the ball and can create some decent openings for others around him.
However, Cornet is yet to prove his worth at the highest level, so the jury is still out on whether he can make a smooth transition to Premier League football if Marcelo Bielsa decides to secure his signature this summer. The 22-time Ivory Coast international will add some goals and creativity to Bielsa’s defence and could also serve as an upgrade over Ezgjan Alioski at Elland Road next season.
The best is yet to come from Cornet as he is about to enter his peak, so the Leeds boss can expect to get the best out of him if he decides to play him regularly over the next few seasons. All in all, the Whites should consider moving in for the Lyon left-back this summer so that they have a strong squad capable of challenging for a top-six finish in the Premier League in the upcoming campaign.
