Geoffrey Kondogbia has been a key figure for Valencia (Getty Images)
According to Movistar journalist Cristina Bea (h/t Leeds Live), Leeds United were linked with a late swoop for Valencia midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia before the summer deadline.
It was reported that the Whites were willing to pay the 27-year-old’s £13.5million transfer fee and £60,000-a-week wages to bring him to Elland Road but a deal never materialised before the October 5 deadline. Premier League rivals Fulham and Southampton were also credited with an interest in the Central African Republic international.
Geoffrey Kongodbia shot to prominence with Lens in France and went on to enjoy a productive campaign at Sevilla in the La Liga before returning to his homeland with Monaco in 2013.
The powerful defensive midfielder made 64 appearances for Monaco over the course of two seasons before earning a move to Serie A giants Inter Milan, where he again spent two productive campaigns.
The 27-year-old joined Valencia on a permanent basis in the summer of 2018 after spending the 2017-18 season on loan at the Mestalla. Kondogbia has since made a total of 104 appearances for the Spanish outfit, registering 7 goals and 6 assists in the process.
Leeds United spent big on some quality players like Rodrigo Moreno, Robin Koch, Diego Llorente, and Raphinha in the summer window to bolster their options at both ends of the pitch. However, the Whites failed to bring in a new central midfielder despite being linked with several options throughout the summer.
That has left Marcelo Bielsa with very little cover for regular starters Mateusz Klich and Kalvin Phillips in the heart of the midfield. Leeds, of course, have talented youngsters like Pascal Struijk and Jamie Shackleton ready to step in but their lack of senior experience is something that could very well be exposed against top-quality opposition in the Premier League.
The Whites have relied heavily on the likes of Klich and Phillips over the past two seasons but with the PL representing an obvious step up in quality and intensity from the Championship, Bielsa certainly needs to have some experienced alternatives in his squad.
To put things into perspective, Leeds United should continue their pursuit of Geoffrey Kondogbia when the transfer window reopens in January. Essentially a defensive midfielder by trade, the African is versatile enough to slot into a box-to-box role as well, thus effectively providing Bielsa with quality cover and competition for both Klich and Phillips.
A proven performer in the Champions League with top-flight experience in Spain, Italy, and France, Kondogbia would definitely add a lot more depth, quality, and experience to Leeds’ midfield ranks.
It was always going to be difficult for Leeds United to strengthen all areas of their squad in a single transfer window after securing promotion to the Premier League. The Whites did exceptionally well to get deals over the line for some of their top targets in the summer, but a lack of depth in the middle of the park remains a pressing concern for Bielsa.
Leeds might have failed to bring Geoffrey Kondogbia to Elland Road in the summer but they shouldn’t leave any stone unturned in their pursuit of the 27-year-old in January as he ticks several boxes to come through the door as a top-quality addition to the ranks.
Kondogbia still has several years remaining in his prime and he could be a massive bargain for the Whites if he is, indeed, available at the quoted price.