Everton once tried to sign me - now I'm Leeds United's 'authoritative' transfer target
Leeds United are putting in plenty of groundwork ahead of what could potentially be a transformative summer transfer window
Championship promotion hopefuls Leeds United are hoping to revamp their defence with a move for former Everton target Modibo Sagnan, according to reports in France from Foot Mercato.
It is claimed the Whites’ recruitment team are already putting in plenty of groundwork to find defensive reinforcements that can ease the club’s transition from Championship to Premier League if they are to achieve their automatic promotion dream.
Last season the likes of Sheffield United, Burnley and Luton Town all suffered relegation to the Championship in just their first season back in the top-flight. It was the first time since 1997/98 that all three promoted teams immediately dropped a division and with just 43 points between them it also marked the lowest points tally of the three teams combined in the Premier League era.
That record looks almost destined to be repeated with both Ipswich Town and Leicester City already 12 or more points adrift while Southampton’s status as a Championship team has already been confirmed.
Leeds know that if they can squeeze into the Premier League ahead of Burnley and Sheffield United or go up via the play-offs they will need to spend big and also smart on new players. But who is Modibo Sagnan and could the North Yorkshire side finally convince him to move to England?
Who is Modibo Sagnan?
Modibo Sagnan is a 25-year-old Mali international, who plays his football in France’s top division with Montpellier. He came through the ranks at RC Lens and racked up 13 appearances as a teenager in Ligue 2 before joining Real Sociedad in 2019 for an estimated 5 million euro.
He played 16 times for the Spanish side over the next four years and was on the outskirts of the team that won the Copa Del Rey whilst playing alongside the likes of Alexander Isak, Martin Odegaard and Mikel Merino. He also spent time out on loan back at Lens and with Mirandés before relocating to Portugal with C.D. Tondela and later FC Utrecht.
It was during his time in Portugal that Everton, according to TeamTalk made solid attempts to sign Sagnan as a potential replacement for Jarrad Branwaite, who had failed to make the grade in the early months after his move from Carlisle United resulting in a loan to PSV Eindhoven. The deal, however, ultimately never materialised and Sagnan moved to France to join Montpellier establishing himself as a Mali international and becoming a stalwart in France’s top division.
Why are Leeds United interested in Modibo Sagnan?
Leeds are ‘already planning for the next phase’ - Premier League football - and see Mobido Sagnan as the calibre of player that can add strength to their defence at a reasonable price. Sagnan is a member of a Montpellier team that are rock-bottom of Ligue 1 and 11 points behind Stade De Reims, who occupy the division’s relegation play-off spot with six games remaining.
However, the 25-year-old is seen as one of few members of the team to have come out of the season well, having scored twice in 25 appearances while largely being one of the team’s more consistent performers. He has been described as ‘authoritative in duels’ by Foot Mercato as well as somebody who can provide versatility to Daniel Farke.
Leeds have deployed Joe Rodon and Pascal Struijk in the heart of their defence for the bulk of the current campaign. Ethan Ampadu, meanwhile offers steady cover, but is seen as more of a natural central midfielder. Other than that Max Wober is seen as a back-up option along with youngster James Debayo. However, central defence is not seen as a strong point in Leeds’ team and it is an area that they will need to bolster if they are to survive in the Premier League should their goal of automatic promotion be achieved.
Leeds are a long way from being over the line yet, however, as they are third in the league and trailing the automatic promotion spots by one point after slipping to three consecutive draws.