Leeds United are believed to be in ongoing talks with Inter Milan about deals for Facundo Calidio and Ryan Nolan, according to Nicolo Schira.
#Leeds insist on Facundo #Colidio. Radrizzani also wants to close Ryan #Nolan from #Inter. Talks ongoing to finalize the deal. #transfers. #LUFC
— Nicolò Schira (@NicoSchira) August 3, 2019
The reliable journalist took to Twitter to provide an update stating that Andrea Radrizzani is keen on the duo and is working hard to try and finalize a deal for the pair.
Nolan is a centre-back and would help to strengthen the backline following the departure of Pontus Jansson, although there may be questions about what the 20-year-old can bring to the table as he is yet to play competitive football (per Transfermarkt).
The former Republic of Ireland Under-18 international is allegedly keen on moving away from Inter Milan this summer to try and make a name for himself elsewhere and start playing regular senior football after captaining the Nerazzurri’s Under-19 side last year (Pundit Arena).
Pundit Arena also noted Nolan as the type of player that could fit into Bielsa’s system at Elland Road as he has the ability to play with the ball at his feet and can play comfortably from out the back.
Colidio, who is a team-mate of the Irishman, is a striker who could potentially help to strengthen the attacking options of the pitch following Kemar Roofe’s imminent departure to Anderlecht as a medical with the Belgian outfit has been scheduled (Sky Sports).
The 20-year-old has shown he has a knack for finding the back of the net when given the opportunity, as he was highly successful with Inter Milan’s academy side in their UEFA Youth League campaign as he managed to score a goal in every single game he played, bagging five in total (Transfermarkt).
In 2018, he earned a glowing scout report from World Football Scouting as they compared him to Gonzalo Higuain and could thrive under Bielsa as he is described as someone who ‘turns out to be a fairly complete centre-forward, technically valid and with a remarkable speed of execution’ and ‘is the classic Argentine “puntero” that fights on all the balls, which puts on the typical South American “garra”’.
There would be questions about whether they are the types of players Leeds need to replace their experienced duo as they have yet to feature at a senior level, however the Argentine manager is someone who does not shy from youth (as noted by The Times) and adopts the mantra of ‘if you’re good enough, you’re old enough’.
Leeds need to bring in players this summer as they have seen a number of men leave without being replaced in what was already considered a rather threadbare squad. Transfermarkt currently notes the squad size at 30 players, however that is set to dwindle before the end of the transfer window.
As mentioned, both Nolan and Colidio do not possess the experience of playing competitive football so signing them could be a risk for the Whites as they look to try and finally obtain Premier League status once and for all.
But, with Bielsa’s guidance and development, they could become hits at Elland Road if given the opportunity – however that all depends on whether they can strike a deal with Inter Milan for the pair.
Leeds fans, would you like to see Colidio and Nolan at Elland Road this summer? Let us know your thoughts by sharing them in the comments section below!
