According to Switzerland’s RTS, Leeds United are showing an interest in former Tottenham Hotspur defender Reto Ziegler.
Ziegler has already been linked with a move to Celtic this year, with Brendan Rodgers’ club taking initial steps to sign the defender earlier this summer.
Leeds United have been busy in this transfer window, but most of the arrivals at Elland Road have been in the offensive positions. Ziegler is mainly a central defender, but can also fill in at left back, something which may have earlier attracted Celtic, and now Leeds.
Thomas Christiansen will be working hard to get more reinforcements for his Leeds side, and Ziegler’s versatility could be a bonus.
The 31 year old is currently without a club after being released by FC Sion at the end of last season, and a return to British football is a possibility for the player.
In mid June, Ziegler was asked by Swiss newspaper Blick about Celtic and Real Betis interest, and was happy to confirm it: “That’s true. But before I meet with these two clubs, I will be working with the leaders of Sion. In the next two weeks I’ll know more.
“The offers also honour me. But without wanting to sound bigheaded: I think I deserve it, I’ve played a good season.”
In July, RTS reported Ziegler and Sion were ‘unable to agree on the financial terms of an extension’, but Celtic claims went quiet.
There doesn’t seem to have been an awful lot of interest, until the current Leeds claims. Celtic’s failure to take things further with Ziegler isn’t explained, but there’s every chance the defender remains on the back-burner for Rodgers’ and his Celtic squad aims.
Leeds United wouldn’t have to pay a fee for Ziegler, which is another attraction for the 31 year old.
N.D.
