Leeds United have reportedly opened talks to secure the signing of Uruguayan midfielder Nahitan Nandez from Serie A outfit Cagliari this summer.
According to a report from Italian outlet Calciomercato, Premier League outfit Leeds United have made their first move to try and secure the transfer of Nahitan Nandez from Serie A club Cagliari.
Nandez made his name in South America with Penarol in his homeland of Uruguay and Argentine giants Boca Juniors before making the jump to European football in 2019, when he signed for Cagliari. Since signing for the Rossoblu, the 25-year-old has been an ever-present in the side, racking up 72 appearances in his two years, in which he has scored four times and set up seven more goals.
A versatile midfielder who can play in the centre of the park or out on the right, Nandez is a regular for the Uruguayan national team as well and has, to date, made 40 appearances for La Celeste. In fact, the Cagliari ace is currently part of the Uruguayan side that has advanced to the quarter-finals of the Copa America 2021.
Nandez’s progress during his time at Cagliari seems to have attracted the interest of Leeds United, who are aiming to build upon their impressive return to life in the Premier League. Indeed, Marcelo Bielsa’s men were one of the most exciting teams to watch during the 2020/21 campaign – their first in the top-flight after a sixteen-year hiatus – finishing ninth in the table.
For the Whites to be able to kick on and make a push for European football, addressing the depth in the squad becomes an important task this summer, something that is not lost on director Victor Orta, who is already close to completing a deal for Barcelona defender Junior Firpo, while Jack Harrison is also likely to be signed on a permanent basis.
And, the focus now seems to have shifted towards midfield with Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher being linked while Nandez is also on the radars. The 25-year-old would help add to Bielsa’s options in the centre of the park, with Leeds often having problems without Kalvin Phillips last season. In addition, the Uruguayan’s ability to play out wide on the right would also allow the manager to rotate Raphinha better as well.
To that end, Leeds United have now opened talks with Cagliari to try and sign Nandez. The report states that the 25-year-old has a release clause worth €36 million, although the Serie A outfit are willing to do business for a lower fee of €30 million. It is also claimed that Inter Milan are also keeping tabs on the Uruguayan, meaning Leeds will need to act quickly to seal the deal for Nandez.
