Leeds gifted golden opportunity as Premier League move being sought for outcasted former target

Leeds United have been gifted a golden opportunity as a Premier League return is reportedly being sought for an outcasted former target.

It’s been clear to see this season that the Yorkshire club need a deeper squad to contend in the Premier League. Injuries have ravaged them and heavily contributed to their perilous position in the table.

Back-to-back wins following two losses at the start of Jesse Marsch’s reign have eased the fear of relegation.

But going forward, it is the top half of the table, and not the bottom, where the Elland Road hierarchy want their club to be competing.

There needs to therefore be heavy investment in this summer’s transfer window ahead of the next campaign, should they indeed stay up.

And their first signing could be on the cards. That’s because Ola Aina is available, according to Calciomercato.

The right-back, 28, has endured a strange few seasons since leaving Chelsea, the club where he grew up.

He had been a regular starter for Torino. They snapped him up for €10million in 2019 following a season on loan.

However, a year later he was shipped off to Fulham for a year as they slipped back down to the Championship in the 2020/21 campaign.

Since returning to Serie A, Aina has fallen further out of favour. In fact, he has not played at all since representing Nigeria at the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year.

Leeds were linked with a €10m move in January, but didn’t push through with it.

Now it’s reported that it is ‘unlikely’ he will stay with Torino past the end of the season. His contract expires in 2023.

Leeds would have competition

Calciomercato claim their director Davide Vagnati is ‘already at work’ to secure a move back to England for Aina.

There is said to be several admirers for him, but whether Leeds are among those potential suitors is unclear.

They arguably should be, because a fresh face in Aina’s position wouldn’t be a bad idea.

Luke Ayling has been very reliable but needs more competition. Youngster Jamie Shackleton is the main alternative for Marsch as it stands.

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