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Pundit glad Bielsa is fixing his only Leeds ‘gripe’ with ‘next level’ transfer

Alan Hutton says that Leeds signing Stade Brest defender Romain Perraud would solve one of his only “gripes” with Marcelo Bielsa’s team.

Reports initially linked the Whites with a move for the left-back in February. However, those links have stepped up in recent days; sporting director Victor Orta is supposedly close to tying up the transfer to bring him to Elland Road. As demonstrated by Stuart Dallas and Ezgjan Alioski, Leeds do not have a recognised star in the position.

Alioski – who started his career at left-back – signed for Leeds in 2017 having starred further forward.

Dallas, meanwhile, started this season as a left-back option but has settled into a midfield role.

With Alioski leaving this summer upon the expiration of his contract, signing Perraud would hand Bielsa a standout option on the left flank.

Indeed, Hutton told Football Insider that players playing out of position is his only issue with the Argentine’s management style.

“They’ve done it before with these signings. You’ve thought: ‘I’m not sure,’ but they’ve come in and done really well,” the pundit said.

“Their recruitment has been very good. I think they’re meticulous in the way they go about it. They look into every attribute, the way the player is, the way he works.

“If he thinks that he is and they’re going for him, they must because I don’t think he would take a chance.

“He doesn’t seem that type of manager. He wants a player to play a particular type of way and that’s all he wants. I‘m sure they would have been watching him closely and they’ll see him fitting in.

“I don’t want to say it was a problem area because I think Alioski did well. I just think, to kick on to the next level, you have to have players playing in their natural position. That’s my only gripe.”

Perraud, who moved to Brest in 2019 from Nice, enjoyed a strong campaign, making 36 Ligue 1 appearances.

He also added another option going forward, chipping in with three goals and seven assists.

In fact, he netted one goal and set up the other in a 2-0 win over Dijon at the start of the season.

Leeds get transfer boost

Elsewhere, Leeds remain undeterred over the price of a deal for attacker Matheus Cunha, according to reports.

While Perraud is a defensive target for the Whites, Hertha Berlin forward Cunha could add more firepower.

Earlier speculation claimed that Leeds would have to pay a steep figure to land the Brazilian. However, Bielsa’s side are willing to meet the valuation.

READ MORE: Leeds given green light to sign versatile attacker on one condition

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