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Leeds United target Fode Ballo-Toure has been offered to Ipswich Town by his agent

Highlights

Leeds United have suffered a setback in their pursuit of Fode Ballo-Toure as the defender has been offered to Ipswich Town by his agent.

According to Italian outlet Calcio Mercato, the AC Milan left-back has been open about his desire to play in the Premier League. But so far this summer, he has only received a material offer from Turkish side Besiktas, which has been rejected.

The 27-year-old spent last season away from his parent club on loan at Fulham. Under Marco Silva, Ballo-Toure made six starts for the Cottagers in the top flight.

With a year left on his Milan contract, the Italian giants are keen to sell Ballo-Toure in advance of the new season. He is currently training in exile from the rest of the senior squad, earmarked for an imminent departure.

While Leeds have not submitted a concrete offer for the full-back yet, they are believed to be interested in bringing him to Elland Road. As a result, the news he has been offered to Ipswich comes as a significant blow.

However, until Ballo-Toure puts pen to paper on a deal with the Tractor Boys, Leeds should continue to battle for his signature. In the past, the left-back area has been pinpointed as a position of weakness at Elland Road and the experienced international's defensive ability could make all the difference this season.

Ballo-Toure’s signing would represent a statement of intent for Leeds

In the wake of Crysencio Summerville’s move to West Ham United, a month on from Archie Gray’s transfer to Spurs, Leeds supporters will be desperate to see their side take positive action in the market and use some of the funds brought in to land more key targets.

Throughout his career, Ballo-Toure has been a consistent performer for several top-flight European clubs. During his time in France, where he played for Lille and Monaco, the defender made 108 appearances in Ligue 1.

Concerns about his lack of success at Fulham should be discounted. Under Silva, he was used sporadically to fill in when Antonee Robinson was unavailable. For this reason, he struggled to build up form and acclimatise without regular minutes and a run in the team.

Excellent on the ball and in transition, Ballo-Toure has won 14 caps at international level with Senegal and featured three times for Les Lions de la Teranga during their successful 2021 Africa Cup of Nations campaign.

With the defender training away from his teammates and likely to be pushed out the door before the start of the season, Leeds are well-placed to compete for a player with a wealth of experience under his belt.

Although Ipswich appear to be leading the race for Ballo-Toure’s signature, Leeds should use some of the money accrued this summer to outbid their transfer rival and bring a statement signing to Elland Road.

Ballo-Toure would strengthen Leeds at left-back

As Daniel Farke’s men set about exorcising the demons of their play-off final defeat to Southampton, the club have begun to build for another season in the second tier.

In the market, Leeds have targeted defensive improvements. By re-signing Joe Rodon from Tottenham and bringing in Jayden Bogle from Sheffield United, the club should be able to launch another bold promotion bid. However, while Junior Firpo and Sam Byram are capable of deputising at left-back, both have shown signs of defensive weakness and Ballo-Toure would add good depth to a position that, frankly, needs it. Recently, the Whites have also been linked with a move for Wolves defender Hugo Bueno.

As highlighted in the table above, where Ballo-Toure's 2023-24 AC Milan stats were used due to his lack of opportunity at Fulham, the Senegal international is an extremely capable defensive option.

While Firpo is undoubtedly one of the division's best left-backs going forward, questions about his defensive judgment seem to be proving hard to ignore for Farke, as would his injury record. It is possible that Leeds will look to bring in a player like Ballo-Toure to rotate with the former Barcelona man to manage his fitness - in doing that, rather than relying on right-footed Sam Byram, Leeds can retain balance. It also allows a Pascal Struijk or Wax Wober to continue at centre-back.

After being narrowly edged out in a three-club battle for automatic promotion last season, it’s important that Leeds do not approach important games carrying a liability at left-back. By continuing to challenge for Ballo-Toure in the market, the club leave themselves open to signing a player who would rank as one of the most highly rated full-backs in the division upon arrival.

As a result, it is pivotal that Leeds get the better of Ipswich in the race for Ballo-Toure. By fending off higher-league opposition, the Whites' promotion credentials will receive a boost. It would show that the club still has plenty of pulling power despite their Championship status and would send a message to fans highlighting that, despite the Summerville sale, Leeds are unwilling to roll over to Premier League rivals when threatened in the market.