Report: £42k-per-week star ready to accept Leeds transfer, Orta prepared to pay club-record fee
Cagliari midfielder Nahitan Nandez is ready to accept a summer transfer to Leeds United, according to L’Unione Sarda.
The Whites have edged rival interest from Inter Milan and Roma to strike a deal for the Uruguayan star. The Serie A giants are now cooling their pursuits of Nandez and have already begun to assess potential alternative targets.
Nandez has given the green light to a move to Leeds as Cagliari prepare to tear apart the squad at the Sardegna Arena. Kiril Despodov is set to join Ludogorets after helping to claim a tenth consecutive title while on loan last season.
Diego Godin is also due to depart Cagliari as Gli Isolani can no longer afford his €3m-a-year (£49k-p/w) wage. While their financial difficulties are also delaying plans to sign Radja Nainggolan as Inter Milan will not sanction a free transfer.
Selling Nandez to Leeds will help the Sardinian outfit balance the books with Victor Orta prepared to pay a club-record fee. The Whites will trigger the €36m (£31m) release clause in the 25-year-old’s contract to bring him to Elland Road.
But Leeds will finalise their move for Nandez once he returns to Europe after representing Uruguay at the Copa America. The 38-cap gem is giving his full focus to the tournament and has frozen all talks over his club future.
West Ham also sounded out a move for Nandez this summer, as David Moyes sought to bolster his engine room. But the £42k-p/w gem seems ready to snub a move to the London Stadium and the chance to play in the Europa League.
TBR’s view: Leeds must secure Cagliari star Nandez
Leeds have gained a significant advantage in the race to sign Nandez with the Cagliari star giving his blessing to a move to Elland Road. Director of Football, Orta, cannot now let that go to waste by allowing rival clubs to swoop in.
The Whites must move to secure the midfielder’s services as soon as possible and have a plan with his agent, ready for Nandez to sign. Luckily, they may not have to wait too long with Uruguay off to a poor start at the Copa America.
Nandez joining Leeds would be a real coup for the club as he turned in a string of great displays in the Serie A. It was no surprise Inter and Roma were also keen after he shone in a box-to-box role, and is yet to hit his peak, either.
