Leeds United are on high alert over a potential deal to sign Piotr Zielinski, according to Football Insider.
Daniel Farke's side are looking at ways to bolster their attacking ranks and have the Inter Milan star firmly in their sights ahead of the January transfer window. It's claimed that the midfielder will be allowed to leave the Italian giants in January, which has triggered Leeds' interest in a potential move.
The 31-year-old is yet to start for Inter in Serie A and, as a result, the club could sanction his exit if a sufficient offer is made for his services. Zielinski joined Inter in the summer of 2024 on a free transfer from Napoli. Since then, he has made 46 appearances, scoring twice and providing four assists along the way.
Previous to that, Zielinski spent eight years with Napoli where he made 364 appearances, scoring 51 times and providing 46 assists. A central midfielder by trade, the Poland star would offer a more offensive option to Leeds' midfield following the summer signings of Sean Longstaff and Anton Stach.
Leeds Need To Add Creative Spark
Piotr Zielinski of Inter Milan
Farke's side are already looking to the January transfer window as they seek to add quality reinforcements to the team.
Speaking on the Inside Track podcast, Football Insider's Pete O'Rourke explained:
“He was linked with Leeds in the summer window and they were linked with a couple of other midfielders as well. He is well down the pecking order at the San Siro. He’s struggled for game time, had just two starts in the Champions League, so he’s not started a Serie A game.
"Inter are definitely open to his departure to try and save some money and boost their own transfer coffers. Whether they’ll be able to sell Zielinski to Leeds, that remains to be seen.
"He’s 31 now, but I still feel he’s got a lot to offer and the player himself would be interested in a move away in January in search of regular first team football. If he’s not going to be getting that at Inter, he will maybe seek a move away.”
While Zielinski may be on the wrong side of 30, he's undoubtedly a quality player who could add goals and assists to Leeds' team in the second half of the season. The Whites have scored just nine goals in nine Premier League games so far, and so creating more chances and being ruthless in front of goal has to be a priority if the Yorkshire giants are to avoid an immediate return to the EFL Championship.
Described by Carlo Ancelotti as 'a complete midfielder', Zielinski is a long-term target having been on the club's radar during the summer transfer window, however a move didn't materialise.
Given that the Poland international star's situation has changed at the San Siro, Leeds could be encouraged to formalise their interest next year. Whether that move will be a permanent deal or a loan deal, however, remains to be seen.
With 11 points from nine Premier League games so far this term, Farke will be hopeful that a couple of shrewd additions will see them over the line in the pursuit of preserving their top-flight presence.