Leeds United and Newcastle United are keen on a move for Sampdoria defender Omar Colley, who has now changed agency, according to Clubdoria46.

The Lowdown: Colley profiled

Colley is a 6 foot 3 centre-back who is 29 years of age and has been on the books with Sampdoria since 2018. [Transfermarkt]

The Gambia international signed a new deal with the Serie A side 12 months ago and has made over 100 appearances for the club – 19 of which have come in 2021/22.

He once denied Cristiano Ronaldo a hat-trick in a previous encounter, with then-Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri praising the defender for his efforts in halting the five-time Ballon d'Or winner.

The Latest: Leeds keen

Clubdoria46 claim that Colley is keen on a move to the Premier League this month, with the Whites, Everton and Newcastle all interested.

He has recently switched agents to try and finalise a move to England, with Colley now busy preparing for the Africa Cup of Nations.

The Verdict: Avoid

Leeds don’t have a shortage of centre-backs at Elland Road, with Marcelo Bielsa even able to call upon right-back Luke Ayling and midfielder Kalvin Phillips to fill in if required.

As we know, Phillips is out of action until March, leaving Bielsa with a limited number of options in midfield, with Victor Orta eyeing a defensive and attacking midfielder this month.

On that basis, the Whites’ priority should be to bolster the middle of the pitch before looking at any further defensive additions, so allowing Everton and Newcastle to battle it out for Colley over the coming weeks wouldn’t be a disaster.

In other news: Sky Sports drop live-on-air Leeds transfer update regarding midfielder pursuit.