Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Leeds Live
Leeds Live
Sport
Oliver Jones

Andrea Radrizzani opens up on Leeds United failed transfers amid Italy international admission

Leeds United owner Andrea Radrizzani has explained why his club failed to bring in Roma star Nicolo Zaniolo despite heavy links at the end of the January transfer window.

The Whites have been linked to numerous players over the past two windows in deals that they've failed to get over the line, and the Italian has often been left red-faced after telling fans on social media about incoming signings that have fallen apart late on.

"When we approach a foreign club, a player’s cost rises by €10m only because we are from the Premier League," he said in an interview with DAZN.

READ MORE: Leeds United receive relegation escape boost amid 'huge' injury blow for rivals

READ MORE: Jermaine Beckford believes Javi Gracia can 'galvanise' Leeds United and push them forward

"We were close to signing [Cody] Gakpo on the deadline day. I had spoken to his father. It was all done with PSV and almost done with him. Unfortunately Louis Van Gaal called him saying he should have gotten regular playing time before the World Cup.

"Three months later his value had tripled and he joined Liverpool."

One deal the Whites did manage to secure was Italy international Wilfried Gnonto late on in the summer, but he wasn't the club's original target and actually came to Elland Road six months before they'd planned.

"We were about to sign this Marseille player, Bamba [Dieng]. I had even tweeted it. I was about to get on the plane, but he didn’t arrive. I was told he had changed his mind and didn’t want to leave anymore.

"Eventually, he chose Nice. This is why we signed Gnonto in advance. He was supposed to join in January.

"Thank god, he arrived. I am proud of him, he is Italian and is such a great guy. He speaks four languages he is open-minded. A fantastic guy. Eventually, Bamba didn’t pass his medical with Nice and remained at Marseille."

Leeds were also interested in Club Brugge forward Charles De Ketelaere last summer before he secured a move to AC Milan, while January target Zaniolo joined Galatasaray in February.

"We were in talks for De Ketelaere but in the end, he chose Milan. Zaniolo? We tried at the last moment. but we didn’t do it because Roma had no spots left for non-EU players."

READ NEXT:

Marco Silva warns Fulham of Leeds United's 'difficult' Javi Gracia advantage ahead of FA Cup tie

Marco Silvestri opens up on struggles dealing with 'long' seasons at Leeds United

Leeds United's best attacking hope in Premier League relegation fight revealed

Leeds United player ratings as Georginio Rutter impresses in unlucky Fulham defeat

Paul Merson reveals off-air Leeds United relegation admission from fellow Sky Sports pundit

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.