Uruguay and Cagliari star Nahitan Nandez has told Radio Sport 890 – as per El Pais – that Marcelo Bielsa wanted to sign him at Leeds United during the gaffer’s spell. We were reportedly close to a deal in 2021.
Nandez, 27, has spent the last five years at Cagliari – playing 136 times for the Serie A side. He was part of the side that helped them gain promotion back to the top tier last term. He is the club’s vice captain.
Back in 2021, Leeds were constantly linked with a move for the Uruguay ace. A report from Italian site Corriere Dello Sport said in June 2021 that Leeds were close – with a fee of £30m required to get him.
Nandez has returned to the fold with Uruguay under Bielsa, with the ex-Leeds gaffer finally getting to work with him. He went almost two years without playing for Uruguay – and says Bielsa tried to sign him.
“When the new coaching staff took over, they called me often. It made me very happy,” Nandez said. “When I almost left Cagliari, one of the possibilities was the team where Marcelo was (at the time).”
Nandez said Bielsa wanted to sign him while at Leeds United
What a signing he would have been in the Premier League. A proper Bielsa player. One with plenty of technique, enormous stamina and work rate but also the ability to play in a number of different roles.
He can be used as a right-back, a right wing-back, in holding midfield, as a box-to-box midfielder and even other positions. A top player, plenty of experience and clearly, Bielsa remains a huge admirer.
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