Leeds United are currently right at the front of the pack of European clubs trying to sign Marseille midfielder Bilal Nadir as his contract winds down. Africa Foot reports that the 22-year-old Moroccan international looks set to leave the Stade Vélodrome for nothing this summer, setting off a bit of a transfer battle across the continent. Marseille originally picked up the youngster for their reserve team from OGC Nice in 2021, but his jump to the senior squad has been pretty bumpy despite showing plenty of early potential.
Leeds United track free agent target Bilal Nadir amid Marseille management reshuffle
The midfielder has had a tough year, mostly watching from the sidelines. He has only managed 590 minutes of football across 20 Ligue 1 games, starting just five times this season. Recent stats from FotMob show a player who puts in 1.7 ball recoveries and 0.9 tackles per game, but he’s still a bit-part player in a squad that has basically been turned upside down lately.
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Manager Roberto De Zerbi left in February after a bad loss to Paris Saint-Germain, and with President Pablo Longoria and Sporting Director Medhi Benatia also resigning, Nadir’s contract talks have completely stalled. The French club had thought about a new deal and a loan move before, but now the player is being careful as Leeds United, Villarreal, and Sevilla all start to show serious interest.
Will Bilal Nadir provide the creative spark Daniel Farke needs to revitalise the Leeds United engine room?
LEEDS, ENGLAND – APRIL 18: Daniel Farke, Manager of Leeds United, celebrates victory after the Premier League match between Leeds United and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Elland Road on April 18, 2026 in Leeds, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
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Getting Bilal Nadir on a free transfer looks like a smart move for Leeds United as they try to build a squad that can actually stay in the top flight. Daniel Farke needs midfielders who are comfortable on the ball and can play in tight spots, and Nadir has the profile that would suit his tactics, according to recent scouting. His current FotMob rating of 6.54 might look average, but a 90.3% passing accuracy and high assist-per-minute numbers show he’s a player who can really perform if he gets a run of games.
Leeds United need to make a move fast because there is plenty of competition from La Liga and French sides like Stade Rennais and RC Lens. The Moroccan U23 star is the kind of player who can play as a standard central midfielder or a more attacking playmaker, which is the exact kind of flexibility the Elland Road crowd wants to see.
Given the mess at Marseille right now, the chance to play a big role under Farke could be the thing that tips the scales. If Leeds can beat Sevilla and Villarreal in the race, they’ll get a high-potential international for nothing, leaving them more money to spend on other parts of the team.
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