According to reports in The Leicester Mercury, Leicester City manager Claude Puel is looking to loan out some fringe players before the end of the month, and Championship high-flyers Leeds United should make an ambitious swoop for Nampalys Mendy.
What’s the word, then?
Well, The Leicester Mercury report that with Foxes boss Puel having plenty of central midfield options right now, the likes of Mendy, Andy King and Matty James could potentially be among the names that are allowed to leave on a temporary basis in the coming days and weeks.
Mendy was originally brought to the King Power Stadium as a replacement for N’Golo Kante when he departed for Chelsea in the summer of 2016 given the similar attributes and style he has, but he has made just 10 appearances in all competitions for the east Midlands outfit since – although part of that is down to the injury issues he has suffered and the fact he rejoined Nice on loan last term.
A short-term loan move for the 26-year-old to a Championship club could be the best outcome for all parties right now to allow the Frenchman to recapture some match fitness and form, and there are few better options than Leeds United at the current time.
Why should Leeds sign him?
While the Yorkshire club have made an outstanding start to the campaign with three wins out of three so far to delight their fans, who still can’t get over Victor Orta’s major transfer coup, they appear to be lacking that cover in the middle of the park right now – especially during Adam Forshaw’s absence.
Kalvin Phillips is shining under Marcelo Bielsa and has been named in the XI for all of those victories, but the all-energy style that the Argentine boss has implemented means he is in danger of burnout.
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Bringing Mendy to Elland Road on loan would go some way to solving that issue, with the 26-year-old having the quality and the attributes to slot into the Leeds midfield and meet Bielsa’s requirements.