Leeds United close in on shock move for Bayern’s Michael Cuisance

Marcelo Bielsa looks poised to raid the European champions for his next signing

Leeds United are reportedly inching closer to completing a shock move for Bayern Munich's Michael Cuisance. Fabrizio Romano, a journalist with his finger firmly on the transfer pulse, tweeted on Sunday evening that, as per L'Équipé, the newly promoted Premier League side are in advanced talks to sign the midfielder. A fee of around £18m has been offered to Bayern with Cuisance said to have already agreed terms on a five-year contract at Elland Road. https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1310310864646479877 The news that the European champions are open to selling the 21-year-old comes as a surprise, with Bayern already set to lose Javi Martinez after his Super Cup-winning header in Budapest last week. A further departure would leave their squad surprisingly thin ahead of what is set to be a busy season.

Marseille have also been credited with interest in Cuisance, though having only offered a loan deal it's believed Leeds are in the driving seat to sign the midfielder.

Cuisance joined Bayern a year ago from Borussia Mönchengladbach. However, competing with Thomas Muller in a more advanced role and Leon Goretzka and Joshua Kimmich for a deeper-lying position, his opportunities have been limited - perhaps explaining his willingness to seek a new challenge. Bayern suffered a 4-1 defeat at Hoffenheim on Sunday afternoon, with Cuisance absent from Hansi Flick's squad. Should he make the move to England, Bayern may choose to accelerate their reported interest in bringing Mario Gotze back to the Allianz Arena following his release by Borussia Dortmund in the summer. Leeds have started their return to life in the top flight brightly. After narrow defeat in their opener against champions Liverpool, they recorded their first win against fellow Premier League newcomers Fulham last week. On Sunday, they overcame Sheffield United in the Yorkshire derby at Bramall Lane thanks to Patrick Bamford's goal.