---
title: "Leeds United: Victor Orta plotting summer swoop for Nicolas N’koulou"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-united-victor-orta-plotting-summer-swoop-for-nicolas-nkoulou/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "George McGibbon"
section: "Leeds United"
published: "2021-03-17T13:40:23Z"
modified: "2021-03-17T13:40:23Z"
---

# Leeds United: Victor Orta plotting summer swoop for Nicolas N’koulou

**According to recent reports, Leeds United are one of many clubs interested in the signing of Torino centre-back, Nicolas N’koulou, this summer.**

The report by Italian outlet [Torino Granata](https://www.torinogranata.it/primo-piano/esclusiva-sboccia-l-amore-tra-nkoulou-e-le-big-intanto-il-toro-sprofonda-119135) (via [Sport Witness](https://sportwitness.co.uk/reliable-experienced-affordable-leeds-united-transfer-tussle-psg-others-signing/)) claims that, should Leeds indeed make a move for N’koulou in the summer market, they will face significant competition, as the French trio of Paris Saint-Germain, AS Monaco and Olympique Lyon, as well as FC Porto, are all also interested in the [£6.3 million-rated](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/nicolas-nkoulou/marktwertverlauf/spieler/60577) 30-year-old.

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So far this season, the [£48,000 per week](https://salarysport.com/football/player/nicolas-nkoulou/) Cameroon international has struggled for game time under Davide Nicola, largely down to a number of [injury problems](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/nicolas-nkoulou/leistungsdaten/spieler/60577). However, over the 11 Serie A games in which the defender has featured, [he has impressed](https://www.sofascore.com/player/nicolas-nkoulou/38533), making an average of 2.4 interceptions, one tackle and 3.8 clearances per match, culminating in an average [SofaScore match rating of 6.81](https://www.sofascore.com/player/nicolas-nkoulou/38533).

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### Transfer Tavern Take

With Marcelo Bielsa and Victor Orta having invested rather heavily in Leeds’ centre-back position last summer, spending [£18 million](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/leeds-united/transfers/verein/399) on Diego Llorente and [£15.3 million](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/leeds-united/transfers/verein/399) on Robin Koch, the centre of the Argentine’s defence would not appear to be an immediate priority again this summer.

However, with N’Koulou’s contract at Torino [set to expire at the end of the season](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/nicolas-nkoulou/marktwertverlauf/spieler/60577), should Orta feel that a financially attractive deal could be struck with the centre-back, perhaps Bielsa would appreciate the addition of further experience in his defence, as well as a player [he has previously managed](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/nicolas-nkoulou/leistungsdatentrainer/spieler/60577/plus/0/trainer_id/2553), regardless of his current options.

And, with Tuttosport ([via Yorkshire Evening Post](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/leeds-united-transfer-news-marcelo-bielsa-wants-free-agent-deal-at-all-costs-whites-keep-tabs-on-portugal-boss-3151164)) also claiming that the 65-year-old wants to sign N’Koulou “[at all costs](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/leeds-united-transfer-news-marcelo-bielsa-wants-free-agent-deal-at-all-costs-whites-keep-tabs-on-portugal-boss-3151164)” this summer, perhaps there is indeed something to this story.

***In other news: Leeds are ‘thinking seriously’ about making this key addition – find out more [here](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/premier-league/leeds-whites-thinking-seriously-about-signing-backup-to-kalvin-phillips/)!***