da spicy bet： Nicolas Tagliafico is the sort of ‘big-name player’ Leeds United need to sign this summer, according to former Premier League defender Alan Hutton.
da cassino： There are a number of areas of the pitch that Marcelo Bielsa may be looking to strengthen in at the end of the season, from central midfield to wide positions.
It looks as though Leeds could be a little sparse at left-back come the summer, however, with Ezgjan Alioski expected to leave Elland Road and Stuart Dallas becoming more and more crucial in midfield.
The Whites have been tipped to sign a number of players in that position, but Ajax defender Tagliafico is the name who has kept appearing in recent weeks.
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Pundit talks up Leeds’ interest in Tagliafico
Speaking to Football Insider, Hutton, who can often be heard on BBC 5 Live, claimed the 28-year-old would be an ideal addition to Leeds’ back-line, due in part to his pedigree:
“He’s a big-name player, isn’t he? I read about it when it first kind of came up.
“It’s a position for me that Leeds need to go and sort out. Obviously, the boys who have filled in have done well and that’s no slight on them.
“But to really progress in such a tough league, you need the right players in the right positions. I think going for the likes of Tagliafico, who’s done it at a high level, that’s the standard where Leeds see themselves at now.
“They’re really looking to kick on which is a good thing for the league because they’re such a good watch. Nine times out of ten you get a right good game when they’re involved.
“They’re obviously looking to next season to progress and do even better, which is brilliant for everyone. That’s a good standard of player they’re going for.”
Transfer Tavern take
Signing Tagliafico would certainly feel like a signal of intent from Leeds, considering he is a 27-time capped Argentina international valued at £22.5million.
He has experienced World Cup matches and big Champions League nights – he started against Tottenham in the 2019 semi-final – so his success in the game could rub off on those around him at Elland Road.
Tagliafico should still have a number of years left in him at the top level, too, so he looks a tailor-made replacement for Alioski.
In other news, a former Leeds player has made a big claim about the future of one current Whites hero. Read more here.