Leeds United are eyeing a move for Lyon left-back Maxwel Cornet. Cornet has been at the French club for six years, having joined them from Metz in 2015. He has made over 250 appearances for the French side, scoring 51 goals and assisting 29 times in the process.
As per The Sun, Maxwel Cornet is a target for the Premier League side, but they are unwilling to pay the £20 million fee that Lyon are demanding. The Whites could make a move for the Ivory Coast international if Lyon reduce their asking price.
Cornet has two years remaining on his current Lyon deal, having signed an extension to his contract in 2019. He scored four goals and provided five assists for the club in the 2020-21 season.
Maxwel Cornet: A smashing move by Bielsa?
Marcelo Bielsa led Leeds United to a fantastic 9th position in their first season back in the Premier League after a mighty long hiatus. The Whites will have to make a few additions and improvements to their squad to finish in a similar position – or higher – in the league next season.
Defence is one area of the pitch that they will have to make additions to due to the lack of depth which was well documented in the build-up to their comeback season. Left-back, in particular, could be an issue, especially if Ezgjan Alioski doesn’t agree to a new contract and decides to leave the club. His contract expires this summer and he has yet to sign a new deal.
Bielsa has Stuart Dallas who can play in that position, but the Northern Ireland international has excelled in midfield and the Leeds manager is unlikely to tinker with his position especially after such a fantastic season. That leaves Bielsa with no natural, first-team left-back for next season.
Maxwel Cornet could be a very good addition to the Whites’ first team. The 24-year-old, who started off further forward as a winger, is an attack-minded full-back who likes to bomb forward at every opportunity. Cornet is a quick player who can move from one end of the pitch to the other swiftly, while he is also a strong dribbler of the ball. The Ivorian likes to take on defenders with his speed and good close control and even drift into central areas.
Cornet is also good in the air, averaging 1.1 aerial wins per game, while also being a tenacious tackler, averaging 1.9 tackles per game in Ligue 1. The 24-year-old is capable of operating along the left flank, while he has also been used on the right side as a winger. His versatility will be a bonus for Bielsa, who seems to like players who can play in multiple positions.
Maxwel Cornet could be a good signing for Leeds, whose pace and fearless dribbling will suit the Whites’ playing style. The player will be eager to grasp this opportunity after six years in France. The chance to play in the Premier League under the enterprising Marcelo Bielsa should be reasons enough to agree to a move.