According to Calciomercato, Leeds United are monitoring the situation of Nicolas N’Koulou. The Torino defender is set to leave the club on a free transfer in the summer, with his current contract in Turin expiring at the end of the season. Torino have no intention of extending N’Koulou’s deal either, meaning a move to Elland Road could be on the horizon, with Marcelo Bielsa known to be a huge admirer of the centre-back.
What Can N’Koulou Add To The Table?
N’Koulou brings a lot of experience to the table, having played for various clubs across Europe including AS Monaco, Marseille and Olympique Lyon. He has been a part of the current Torino side since 2017, featuring in 128 competitive matches. Overall, the defender has made over 250 appearances in Ligue 1 while winning 72 caps for the Cameroonian national team.
In addition to his leadership, N’Koulou is a leader among men. He can lead his side from the front – something he has been doing over the years during his time in France and now in Italy.
Although the 30-year-old may not necessarily be one of the tallest centre-backs in Europe, he is quite dominant in the air and in physical duels – making him quite an intimidating figure for the opposing attackers.
Should Leeds United Invest In N’Koulou?
Leeds United seem destined to preserve their Premier League status next season, thanks to a fantastic start to their return to life in the English top flight. However, they certainly do have problems in the defensive unit, having already conceded 43 goals in the league this term.
While the Whites’ leaky backline has a lot to do with their style of play under Marcelo Bielsa, they still need more quality centre-backs in order to improve on that record. Unfortunately, summer signings like Diego Llorente and Robin Koch have struggled with injuries and while Gaetano Berardi’s services were retained last summer, the veteran centre-back has also had fitness issues.
That is where the potential arrival of N’Koulou could make sense. The 30-year-old would be an ideal replacement for Berardi, whose contract expires at the end of the season. In addition, his experience, leadership and relationship with Bielsa should help him further improve the Leeds United backline as they look to fare better in the Premier League next season.
However, what makes N’Koulou such an appealing target for the Whites is the expiring contract that would enable the club to sign him for free in the upcoming summer transfer window. It appears essential for the club considering the current financial climate as the Yorkshire outfit shifts its attention towards other targets.
