Leeds have got to join Villa and Leicester in race, to form Bielsa reunion – TBR View

Add as preferred source on Google

Aston Villa and Leicester City are both reportedly rivalling Champions League side Atalanta this summer to sign Marseille winger Florian Thauvin – but Leeds United should be on red alert.

Thauvin, 27, has endured a horrendous 2019-20 campaign in which a long-term ankle injury prevented the 10-time France international and 2018 World Cup winner from playing more than just two matches.

However, now fit, Marseille are seemingly willing to cash in on the former Newcastle United star. Marseille are trying to extend his contract – as per TuttoMercatoWeb – but if a fee of £13.5million is tabled, they could accept.

The report states that Atalanta are winning the race for Thauvin, who has had a hand in 130 goals during his 237 Marseille outings. But Aston Villa and Leicester are also interested in landing the French ace.

However, such interest in Thauvin should have alerted Marcelo Bielsa and Leeds – not just because the Whites could do with competition for Jack Harrison on the left flank, but because it would see Thauvin form a reunion with Bielsa.

Bielsa managed Marseille during 2014-15 – the season before Thauvin moved to Newcastle. He played 36 of the 38 Ligue 1 matches under the Leeds boss that season, and was a crucial part of Bielsa’s Marseille side.

Yes, he flopped at Newcastle, but given he starred for Marseille under Bielsa and that he is available at a bargain price of just £13.5milliom – Leeds have got to rival Villa and Leicester for the winger.

It would hand Leeds a player that not only knows how and what it takes to play under Bielsa, but it would also give Bielsa a player that is ready-made for his Leeds side. He would be an ideal summer addition for the Whites.