Club president confirms Leeds want two of his players, but rules out summer moves

By Will Butcher

Cagliari president Tommaso Giulini has told a Thursday press conference – as quoted by Football Italia – that Leeds United want to sign Cagliari duo Nahitan Nandez and Giovanni Simeone, but ruled out a move for both players.

Leeds are expected to bring in two more signings before the end of the transfer window, with a central midfielder expected to arrive – while a left-winger is also being targeted. Michael Cuisance is expected to fill the midfield role.

The Bayern Munich midfielder is reportedly close to completing a move to Leeds, even though TuttoMercatoWeb claimed on Thursday that the Whites were in talks for Uruguay international Nandez – who has a £32.5million release clause (Di Marzio).

But with Leeds signing Cuisance, a move for Nandez is unlikely. Giulini confirmed Leeds want Nandez as well as Argentina international and striker Simeone – who scored 12 goals in 37 league games last term – but ruled out moves this summer.

“Leeds want both Nandez and Simeone, but we can rule out these players leaving in the final days of the window, because we would be weakened,” Giulini said, during a presser for new signing Diego Godin. “It’s too late, wouldn’t be time to replace them.”

(Photo by Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

TBR’s view – Nandez would be a stunning signing, Simeone not so much

During the 2018 Copa Libertadores final, Nandez showed just how good a player he is – shining at the Santiago Bernabeu despite his Boca Juniors side losing to River Plate. Last season, he was one of the first names on the Cagliari team sheet.

Following 38 appearances during 2019-20, Nandez has shown he can do it in one of Europe’s top leagues. Simeone, though, only managed 12 goals in 37 league games – though he is unlike Rodrigo, who is just as creative as he is a goal getter.

Nandez would be a simply unbelievable signing, but 25-year-old and Cagliari number nine Simeone would hardly displace Rodrigo – or Patrick Bamford.

(Photo by Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto via Getty Images)