Ligue 1 club have just submitted a bid for defender who Leeds are keen to sign this summer

Add as preferred source on Google

Ligue 1 is starting to become a bit of a thorn in Leeds United’s transfer window.

Not only have Leeds sold a couple of players to teams in the top-flight of French football, but they are also seemingly shopping in the same market as the Whites.

Norwich City winger Jonathan Rowe is a prime example of that, with Leeds the first side to reportedly make their interest known to the Canaries with a £7 million enquiry.

Leeds have been slow to progress on a deal for Rowe, though, and that has allowed both Marseille and AS Monaco to jump into the race to sign him.

Marseille saw an official offer rejected last week, while AS Monaco have also held talks with Rowe’s representatives ahead of making a move later in the window.

• READ MORE: Norwich manager shares new update on Jonathan Rowe’s situation after interest from Leeds United

St Etienne bid for Leeds target Fode Ballo-Toure

With winger not the only position Leeds are looking to strengthen, Rowe is not the only player Daniel Farke is keen to bring in before the deadline.

Left-back and central midfield are other areas of interest to the Leeds manager, though links have so far been few and far between.

One player who has been mentioned as a potential target at left-back is surplus to requirements AC Milan man Fode Ballo-Toure, with Watford also keen.

However, if Leeds are to firm up their initial interest, they will face competition from French side St Etienne, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Romano has reported on his Twitter account today that St Etienne have now submitted an official offer to Milan, with negotiations ongoing between the two clubs.

Ballo-Toure has already rejected an offer from Besiktas this summer and it will be interesting to see if Leeds decide to make a move now St Etienne have.

• READ MORE: Daniel Farke should hand ‘special’ Leeds United youngster his debut against Middlesbrough at Elland Road

What Zlatan Ibrahimovic has said about Leeds target Ballo-Toure

Having called time on a glittering playing career, Zlatan Ibrahimovic is now effectively the sporting director at the San Siro.

Ballo-Toure’s future was a topic Ibrahimovic covered in an interview last week, confirming he does not feature as part of Milan’s first team plans.

The 27-year-old is currently training alongside Divock Origi in Milan’s youth side, and so an exit feels very likely this month.

He said: “Origi and Ballo-Touré are called up, but for Milan Futuro. They will not be part of the first team.”