---
title: "Leeds: Pete O’Rourke makes Nahitan Nandez claim"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-pete-orourke-makes-nahitan-nandez-claim/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Charlie Smith"
section: "Leeds United"
published: "2022-01-13T13:05:21Z"
modified: "2022-01-13T13:05:21Z"
---

# Leeds: Pete O’Rourke makes Nahitan Nandez claim

**Journalist Pete O’Rourke believes Leeds could make a January swoop for Cagliari midfielder Nahitan Nandez, [Give Me Sport](https://www.givemesport.com/1818077-elland-road-transfer-news-leeds-could-come-back-for-49cap-target-in-cheaper-deal) report.**

### The Lowdown: Nandez a long-term target

Leeds are [yet](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/leeds-united/alletransfers/verein/399) to sign a central midfielder on a permanent basis under Marcelo Bielsa but are thought to be after a [defensive and attacking](https://www.footballinsider247.com/sources-leeds-united-in-january-transfer-u-turn-as-orta-lays-groundwork-for-two-signings/) midfielder this month due to the club’s injury woes.

\[freshpress-poll id=”385214″\]

One player who was [linked](https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/sport/leeds-united/leeds-transfer-rumours-nandez-phillips-21560383) with a move to Elland Road back in the summer was Nandez, with [rumours](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-united-transfer-rumours/leeds-united-fresh-nahitan-nandez-transfer-claim-emerges/) resurfacing in recent weeks.

The 26-year-old is valued at £16.2m by [Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/nahitan-nandez/profil/spieler/315063) and has made [16](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/nahitan-nandez/leistungsdaten/spieler/315063) appearances in [four](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/nahitan-nandez/leistungsdaten/spieler/315063) different positions in 2021/22, perhaps suggesting he could solve Victor Orta’s quest for a number six and number eight in one swoop.

### The Latest: O’Rourke’s comments

O’Rourke was talking to [Give Me Sport](https://www.givemesport.com/1818077-elland-road-transfer-news-leeds-could-come-back-for-49cap-target-in-cheaper-deal) regarding Nandez and a possible move to Yorkshire this month.

He labelled a winter window transfer as ‘a real possibility’, with [reports](https://www.givemesport.com/1818077-elland-road-transfer-news-leeds-could-come-back-for-49cap-target-in-cheaper-deal) suggesting he could be available for half the price compared to last summer.

> “I think they tried to sign him from Cagliari in the summer but weren’t able to. So, if they think they can get him on a cheaper deal this January, there’s a real possibility that they maybe could come back in for him.”

### The Verdict: Time to swoop?

It seems as if Nandez is a player who has been on Orta’s shortlist for a while, so now could be the ideal time to bring him to Yorkshire.

Described as a [‘powerful’](https://thisisfutbol.com/2021/06/blogs/premier-league/leeds-united/exclusive-serie-a-expert-says-leeds-target-is-a-machine-e141/) midfielder by Serie A expert Conor Clancy, Nandez fits the Bielsa profile when it comes to being versatile.

He’d bolster the club’s [wide](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/nahitan-nandez/leistungsdaten/spieler/315063) ranks, while also being able to play in a [defensive or central midfield](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/nahitan-nandez/leistungsdaten/spieler/315063) role. That could be needed straight away, should he arrive at Elland Road, especially as Kalvin Phillips has been ruled out until [March](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11715/12506691/kalvin-phillips-and-liam-cooper-unavailable-for-leeds-united-until-march-due-to-injuries).

More updates on Nandez will more than likely emerge before the end of the month, but as like in the summer, it could be one to keep a close eye on.

***In other news: [‘This is huge’ – BBC pundit reacts to ‘massive’ Leeds news he’s heard from Elland Road.](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-united-news/leeds-noel-whelan-reacts-to-joe-gelhardt-injury/)***