Leeds transfer news: Approach made for Serie A ‘destroyer’

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Leeds United have been busy in the January transfer window, completing one signing and closing in on a second.

The Whites brought Maximilian Wober to Elland Road early on in the window.

Meanwhile, Georginio Rutter is reportedly on the verge of arriving at Elland Road from Hoffenheim.

However, it looks as though Victor Orta and Jesse Marsch are looking for further reinforcements.

According to Sport Italia, Leeds have made an approach for Salernitana and Mali midfielder Lassana Coulibaly.

The Italian outlet claims the Whites got in touch over the 26-year-old.

However, Salernitana apparently knocked back the Leeds approach, alongside one from Nottingham Forest.

Leeds target Coulibaly – factfile

Coulibaly came through the ranks at French club Bastia, breaking into the senior side in 2015.

He then joined Angers two years later, and was on their books until the summer of 2021.

During his time at Angers, Coulibaly took in loans at Scotland’s Rangers and Belgium’s Cercle Brugge.

In 2021, he joined Salernitana, where he has made 49 appearances, including 16 this season.

Coulibaly has also won 30 caps for Mali and has played at three Africa Cup of Nations tournaments.

Former Rangers boss Steven Gerrard spoke highly of Coulibaly when he arrived at Ibrox in 2018.

“Coulibaly is a destroyer type midfielder,” The Scotsman quoted him as saying at the time.

“He is very different to what he have here.

“I have watched him numerous times and he breaks play up and keeps it simple.

“He will add a bit of power in the engine room for us.”

Admittedly, Coulibaly struggled to hold down a regular place in the Rangers side.

Since then, however, he has gone from strength to strength, and is now a regular for his club.

In December, The Sun claimed that Koulibaly has a price tag of £8.5million.

Tyler Adams back-up?

Coulibaly looks like a decent enough shout for Leeds. He’s a solid player in Serie A, is a fairly regular player for his country, and at £8.5million, he won’t break the bank.

Although Salernitana don’t seem open to selling him, the Whites certainly have the financial muscle to make a significant bid they’d struggle to refuse.

Leeds could certainly do with back-up for Tyler Adams. His absence was really felt against Manchester City, so a player to cover and compete with the American is a good shout.