Phil Hay has claimed Leeds United were ‘cold’ on their interest in AZ Alkmaar defender Pantelis Chatzidiakos when he asked the question on Monday morning.
Hay was speaking on the latest episode of the Square Ball Podcast following Leeds’ opening day draw with Cardiff City, which only enhanced their need for a new centre-back.
The Whites lost captain Liam Cooper to injury five minutes into the second half as he appeared to land awkwardly after heading in to make it 2-1.
Cooper had to be stretchered off following the incident leaving Leeds with just two fit centre-backs in Charlie Cresswell and Pascal Struijk.
Links to Chatzidiakos emerged almost immediately after the full time whistle on Sunday, with Greek outlet SportTime reporting Leeds had made an offer after two weeks of talks.
Hay provides update on Leeds interest in Chatzidiakos
However, despite those reports, Hay appears to have poured cold water on Leeds’ potential interest based on what he has been told by the club.
He said: “I did ask the question about him this morning. It seemed a bit cold on that front but we know there’s the interest in Nat Phillips but as of this morning there doesn’t seem to have been much in the way of further developments.”
Leeds appear to be prioritising the addition of a new centre-back at the moment and that need became more pressing at the weekend after Cooper’s injury.
The fact Leeds have almost dismissed the reports of Chatzidiakos to Hay, who also reported a lack of progress on Nat Phillips, would indicate neither of those two will be coming to Elland Road this summer.
Manchester City’s Taylor Harwood-Bellis is another name who has been linked, and he would represent a far better option than either of the other two.
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