A "creative" midfielder who's made three Champions League appearances this season has now been identified as a January transfer target by Leeds United chiefs.
Leeds keen to strengthen in January amid dip in form
The Whites have now failed to win in their last three Premier League matches, which means they now sit just three points above the relegation zone, and it may not be too long before the teams below them get their act together.
Nuno, who led Nottingham Forest to Europe last season, is vastly experienced in the Premier League, with the Tricky Trees' performance last season proving the manager has what it takes to guide the Hammers to safety.
Sean Dyche's arrival at Forest should also be a boost, given the former Everton manager's record of avoiding the drop, leading the Toffees to a 17th-placed finish in the 2022-23 season, after taking over when they were in 19th place and two points from safety.
As such, Daniel Farke's side need to get their act together sooner rather than later, and they may need to strengthen their squad in January to avoid an instant return to the Championship.
It is clear the Whites are particularly keen to strengthen in the middle of the park, having opened talks to sign Maccabi Tel Aviv's Issouf Sissokho earlier this week, and they have now set their sights on a Champions League midfielder.
That is according to a report from Calciomercato (via Sport Witness), which reveals Leeds chiefs have now identified Inter Milan maestro Piotr Zielinski as a target for the January transfer window.
Inter Milan's Piotr Zielinski in action with Feyenoord's Anis Hadj Moussa
Zielinski is a 'prime candidate' to leave the Italian club this winter, and he has emerged as a popular target at Elland Road, although the newly-promoted side will have to spend a 'significant' amount to get a deal done.
The Poland international's huge wages could feasibly pose a problem too, with it being reported he rakes in a whopping £133k-a-week.
Zielinski has the quality to help Leeds avoid the drop
Leeds' number one goal this season will undoubtedly be to preserve their Premier League status, and the Inter midfielder has the quality to help them avoid the drop, given his vast experience at the top level.
The Pole has made 54 appearances in the Champions League, including three this season, and 10 en-route to Inter reaching the final against Paris Saint-Germain last season.
Once lauded as a "creative spark" by journalist Josh Bunting, the former Napoli man has remained a consistent source of assists over the past year, averaging 0.23 per 90, which places him in the 93rd percentile compared to other midfielders.
It is a little early for Leeds to press the panic button, considering they currently remain outside the relegation zone, but if come January they are in need of proven top-level players to lead them to safety, Zielinski could be an ideal addition.