According to Foot01, Leeds United have expressed interest to sign Jordan Amavi. The Marseille fullback is facing an uncertain future at the club after his campaign was marred by injuries. The former Aston Villa star also has his contract expiring at the end of the season, with the French outfit willing to cash in on him. It has put Premier League clubs like Leeds United and Crystal Palace on red alert in this ongoing January transfer window.
Jordan Amavi: Player Profile
A product of the OGC Nice academy, Jordan Amavi is particularly known for his three-year spell at Aston Villa. The left-back had featured in 48 competitive matches for the Villans, though only 10 of them came in the Premier League. He was eventually offloaded in 2018, as he joined Marseille on a permanent deal.
The Frenchman has since become a first-team regular at OM, having racked up 119 competitive appearances for the club. His contributions in the wide defensive role have been key in the progress the club has made under the leadership of Andre Villas-Boas over the past few years.
Amavi’s importance at Marseille has been felt this season, in particular, as the left-back has been out with a torn muscle for the majority of the campaign. His deputy in Yuto Nagatomo has done a decent job, but not enough to fill in the shoes of the 26-year-old, whose offensive prowess was a real asset for AVB’s team.
Amavi had also impressed the onlookers with his expertise on the ball, along with his tendency to make overlapping runs on the far side – making him quite useful going forward.
Can Amavi Be Useful At Leeds United?
Leeds United are in desperate need of reinforcements in the defensive unit this month, especially in the fullback department. The injuries to two premier centre-backs in Robin Koch and Diego Llorente have already forced Marcelo Bielsa to deploy Luke Ayling in central defence. As a result, first-choice left-back Stuart Dallas has had to play on the opposite flank, causing Ezgjan Alioski to become a first-team regular.
The Macedonian international has impressed going forward but really lacks the overall balance to become a consistent fullback in the Premier League. His lack of defensive prowess has been evident in his recent performances.
Although Amavi is also an attack-minded fullback, he is more than capable of doing his defensive chores. He can provide some quality competition for Alioski and perhaps even Dallas, when Koch returns to full fitness. And with French football currently experiencing a financial crisis, the Frenchman could be available for a cut-price as well – making him a smart investment for the Whites.
