Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa has set his sights on Cagliari midfielder Nahitan Nandez this summer, with Andrea Radrizzani potentially being the wildcard in a transfer.

What's the story?

Reports last summer suggested that the Whites were ready to activate the release clause of the Uruguay international, but a deal failed to materialise before the end of the deadline.

Italian publication Calciomercato has now claimed (via Sport Witness) that while AS Roma have turned their attentions elsewhere, Leeds remain on the case for the midfielder.

The report revealed that Leeds have their eye on Nandez, adding that the relationship between Radrizzani and Cagliari owner Tommaso Giulini is at an "optimal" level. Despite the €36m (£30m) release clause, Giulini is ready to listen to any decent offers for Nandez and come to the negotiating table.

Bielsa must urge Radrizzani to act

Given the struggles that Leeds have had without Kalvin Phillips in their line-up - the Whites won just two out of the nine Premier League games that he missed - a move for Nandez surely has to be a priority for Bielsa.

As per Sofascore, the 25-year-old won an average of 6.1 duels and 1.8 tackles per match in Serie A last season, and it comes as no surprise that the Cagliari midfielder has been described as "a bit of an engine who gets up and down".

His all-action approach should make him a dream for Bielsa, and it's something which has been lauded by his agent Pablo Bentancur, who said: "Nandez is certainly a great player. The fans always like him because he leaves every last drop of sweat on the pitch."

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Given Radrizzani's relationship with Guilini, the Leeds supremo appears to be quite a wildcard for the Whites in terms of doing a potential deal for Nandez.

As is the case for a lot of things, it's not about what you know, but who you know. In this instance, Leeds could hold a real advantage over their competitors with Radrizzani.

It's exactly why Bielsa must urge him to act and try push through a deal for Nandez this summer.

Meanwhile, Marcelo Bielsa is close to clinching his first permanent signing of the summer at Leeds United...