Leeds United are looking to sign Saint Etienne centre-back Harold Moukoudi on loan, as reported by L’Equipe.
What’s the story?
The French outfit are looking to slim down their squad by the end of the January transfer window, with 6 foot 3 defender Moukoudi among those they are willing to let go.
This has caught the attention of various English clubs and aside from Leeds, Burnley, West Bromwich Albion, Derby County and Stoke City are all hoping to secure his services for the rest of the season, with there being no talk of an option to buy at the end of it.
However, it is suggested that the Ligue 1 side would prefer for the deal regarding the 22-year-old to be a permanent sale rather than a loan.
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Defensive reinforcement
Moukoudi has made 15 starts and one appearance off the bench across all competitions, including 11 Ligue 1 starts.
He has recorded some fairly impressive statistics during the Ligue 1 campaign, for the side that are currently sitting 15th in the table.
The defender averages 2.5 tackles per game, while he commits 1 foul and is dribbled past just 0.3 times per game – of all Leeds’ players, only Kalvin Phillips exceeds his number of tackles with 2.9.
In addition to that, the Saint Etienne man makes 1.5 interceptions, 3.8 clearances and 0.9 blocks on average, while also winning 3.2 aerial duels.
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It should also be noted that Moukoudi has been making more clearances and blocks than any of Leeds’ players throughout this campaign.
Another area of his game that will encourage Marcelo Bielsa is the efficiency that he has on the ball, completing 86.8% of the passes that he has attempted during the league campaign, while he also makes 0.5 dribbles per game.
With Leeds having not kept a clean sheet in their last seven league games, somebody who has shown defensive dominance this campaign would surely be a welcome bonus.
Meanwhile, it has been suggested that Leeds may not face much competition in their pursuit of a striker.