---
title: "Leeds: Journalist backs Whites to make move for Nahitan Nandez"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/nahitan-nandez-leeds-transfer-latest-pete-orourke/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Henry Jackson"
section: "Leeds United"
published: "2022-01-04T17:05:00Z"
modified: "2022-01-04T17:05:00Z"
---

# Leeds: Journalist backs Whites to make move for Nahitan Nandez

**Leeds United are still interested in making a move for Cagliari and Uruguay midfielder Nahitan Nandez, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.**

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

Arguably no player in the last year has been [linked](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-united-transfer-rumours/leeds-whites-still-battling-tottenham-for-nahitan-nandez-signing/) with a move to Elland Road more often than Nandez, who has hotly tipped for a move to the Whites [all throughout last summer](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-united-transfer-rumours/leeds-whites-still-battling-tottenham-for-nahitan-nandez-signing/).

The 26-year-old has remained at Cagliari for the time being, continuing to be a regular starter in Sardinia, but he could be allowed to leave in the [January transfer window](https://www.givemesport.com/1754870-january-transfer-window-2022-when-does-it-open-when-does-it-close-and-which-players-are-going-to-move).

With Kalvin Phillips out [injured](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/kalvin-phillips/verletzungen/spieler/351749), Leeds may be eyeing up a move for a midfielder, and an update has been provided on their pursuit of Nandez.

\[freshpress-quiz id=“383507″\]

### The Latest: Journalist provides fresh hope

Speaking to [Give Me Sport](https://www.givemesport.com/1812425-leeds-transfer-news-marcelo-bielsa-tipped-to-revisit-swoop-for-30m-star), O’Rourke claimed that Leeds could still get a deal done, whether it is this month or in the summer.

He said: “Nandez at Cagliari has been a long-term target for Leeds. They tried to sign him in the summer so I’m sure they’ll be looking to revisit that one as well.”

[Latest Leeds United news!](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-leeds-united-news-29/)

### The Verdict: No-brainer for Leeds

Nandez looks to be a tailor-made Leeds signing who could well suit Bielsa’s [infamously intense style of play](https://www.planetfootball.com/quick-reads/x-quotes-on-marcelo-bielsas-infamous-training-regime/), and he could be the ideal man to come in and fill the Phillips-shaped void in the Whites’ midfield.

Hailed as a “[machine](https://thisisfutbol.com/2021/06/blogs/championship/leeds-united/exclusive-serie-a-expert-says-leeds-target-is-a-machine-e141/)” by Serie A expert Conor Clancy, the [£16.2m-rated](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/nahitan-nandez/profil/spieler/315063) Uruguay international has won [2.4 aerial duels](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/280928/Show/Nahitan-N%C3%A1ndez) per game in Serie A this season, as well as averaging two tackles per match and chipping in with a couple of assists, showing what an all-round presence he offers.

Nandez’s tenacious style, coupled with his quality on the ball, would bring much-needed experience and poise to Leeds’ midfield at a time when Phillips’ absence could hurt them so much. Hopefully O’Rourke’s suggestion that the Whites could go back in for him proves accurate.

***In other news, Leeds have also been backed to sign a Premier League player. Find out who it is [here](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-united-transfer-rumours/paddy-kenny-backs-ross-barkley-transfer-links/).***