Transfer News: Tottenham, Leeds United handed boost in pursuit of Nahitan Nandez

Tottenham Hotspur and Leeds United have reportedly received a major boost in their pursuit of Nahitan Nandez ahead of the January transfer window.

According to a report from The Sun, Tottenham Hotspur and Leeds United have been handed a huge boost in their bid to sign Uruguayan international Nahitan Nandez as his agent has confirmed that the midfielder can leave Cagliari in January.

Nandez earned his spurs with Argentine giants Boca Juniors before making the switch to Europe in 2019, when he signed for Cagliari. The 25-year-old versatile midfielder has been a permanent fixture in the side for the Serie A outfit ever since, racking up 76 appearances in which he has scored four goals and registered seven assists.

A regular for the Uruguayan national team, Nandez has 44 caps to his name for La Celeste. This past summer, though, was a controversial one for the 25-year-old as he sought an exit from Cagliari. In order to secure a move away, he even missed a friendly encounter during pre-season and was reprimanded by the club.

Rumours of interest from Tottenham Hotspur as well as Leeds United were doing the rounds consistently during the summer window. However, a move failed to materialise and Nandez ended up staying at Cagliari, for whom he has now featured in each of their seven Serie A games this season.

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However, in a boost for both Spurs and Leeds, the midfielder could soon become available on the transfer market. Indeed, the 25-year-old’s agent, Pablo Bentancur, has claimed that Cagliari will allow him to leave him in January. Speaking to Calcio Napoli 24, as quoted by The Sun, he said: “Giulini has promised the player and me to do everything possible so that he leaves in the January market.

“There are two or three clubs that will look for Nandez in January, including Napoli. I think he will sell at a lower price than the one requested, there is a €36million [£31m] clause. But yesterday the president has talked to Nandez and told him he will lower the price and let him go.”

However, he did hint that a move to Napoli could be on the cards for the Uruguayan, saying: “I would be happy to see him in blue, definitely. But Giulini has now understood the situation, we hope that in January there may be some movement, we hope in the direction of Naples.”

Reports last month indicated that Tottenham would consider reigniting their interest in Nandez during the January transfer window, which would make sense considering that Harry Winks has been out of favour and Moussa Sissoko was sold late in the summer. A versatile player like the Uruguayan, who can play in central midfield or right midfield or even at right-back would add depth to the squad.

The same holds for Leeds who have lacked a reliable backup option for Luke Ayling at right-back. Not only would Nandez help address that he would also add more options in the middle of the park for Marcelo Bielsa’s side. However, with his agent hinting towards a move to Napoli, it will be interesting to see whether Tottenham or Leeds are able to snap him up in the winter window.