Attention at Leeds United is already drifting onto the summer transfer window, with Nice defender Jean-Clair Todibo seemingly an option for the Whites.
Leeds made moves over the course of the January transfer window to evolve their defensive options, with Max Wober the standout arrival. Diogo Monteiro was another addition, albeit for the U21s initially.
Diego Llorente, though, was freed up to leave Leeds, joining AS Roma on a loan deal with the view to a permanent move that could land the club a chunk of their initial £18m outlay on the now 29-year-old.
More work could be done in the summer, with Leeds All Over understanding that a Ligue 1 centre-back is on the radar, believed to be Todibo.
Initial approaches for the 23-year-old appear to have come as early as January, although they were rebuffed, meaning it is the summer when a deal is more likely for Leeds.
It was reported on Sky Sports News yesterday that Leeds were “assessing their central defensive options” but failed to replace Llorente with a senior player. Robin Koch, Luke Ayling and, latest recruit, Monteiro are likely to serve as Jesse Marsch’s right-sided centre-back options for the remainder of the season.
Todibo has made 83 appearances for Nice in his senior career so far, making a permanent move to the Ligue 1 outfit from Barcelona in 2021. He’s also had spells on the books with Toulouse, Schalke and Benfica.
The 23-year-old is a France youth international with a contract at Nice until 2027.
Do Leeds need to replace Llorente?
Yes
No
Leeds sit 15th in the Premier League table and just a single point above the relegation zone. Marsch has been boosted by the arrival of Wober, Georginio Rutter and Weston McKennie in the January transfer window, though, with that trio bolstering the senior squad at Elland Road.
Marsch’s side travel to Nottingham Forest on Sunday looking for their first Premier League win since November 5th.