Leeds United linked with Inter Milan’s Irish defender Ryan Nolan

Leeds United have been linked to Republic of Ireland U18 defender Ryan Nolan. The defender currently is on the books at Inter Milan, where he captained the Italian sides’ Primavera (U23) team.

Along with Leeds, it’s rumoured that Premier League teams Brighton & Hove Albion and Leicester City are interested in signing him, along with Scotland’s Celtic FC.

The reports state that the 19 year-old Nolan is looking to come to England to get more first team playing time in a bid to get into consideration for the U21 Republic of Ireland squad. He’s previous stated that it’s extremely difficult to break into the first team at Inter Milan, with a number of experienced internationals such as Slovakia’s Milan Skriniar, and the Netherlands’ Stefan de Vrij. Inter also added former Atlético Madrid Uruguay international central defender Diego Godin in the summer transfer window, putting Nolan even further away from the starting XI.

Nolan would be a good addition to Leeds, although the rumour seems a bit flimsy, with a “source close to the player” that gave an exclusive to Pundit Arena almost likely to be a family member or agent looking to get some more attention and/or interest in Nolan in the press, and Leeds tends to bring attention.

Here’s hoping that if Nolan comes, he’s able to step in and play, although expecting a teenager to replace a full Sweden international in Pontus Jansson seems a bit naive.