Leeds United linked with move for Ajax left-back Nicolás Tagliafico - although our verdict is “unlikely”

Leeds United have taken an interest in Ajax left-back Nicolás Tagliafico according to Valentijn Driessen, chief football reporter for De Telegraaf.

Driessen said: “He will probably meet that referee (Anthony Taylor) because Leeds United would like to have him” when discussing Ajax’s Europa League tie against AS Roma.

As with all transfer links, it should be taken with a pinch of salt, and that does seem to especially be the case when it comes to Argentina internationals - as they are linked to Marcelo Bielsa constantly.

Tagliafico is a very good player, who plays with a style that would suit Leeds. However, he is already 28 years old and when he was linked with Manchester City earlier this season the price quoted was £35m, Leeds will surely not be interested in a left-back at that price.

Tagliafico is also being linked with a move to Inter Milan, and those links look stronger than the ones to Leeds - with Tagliafico himself saying: “It’s incredible to be linked with such a team, with all the history there. I can tell you that my idol of all time is Javier Zanetti.

“He played his entire career in the Nerazzurri shirt. This interest cannot be other than pleasing, but I’m a realistic person and today I therefore prefer to focus exclusively on the present.

“Serie A is a very competitive championship, with very tactically prepared teams and many great players. Such a League always intrigues. My surname is clearly Italian, I have origins from Genoa and Calabria. Obviously, I would like to play in the top division in Italy one day.”