Leeds United £18m transfer revelation as truth on deal finally emerges — Leeds live 22/6/24

Leeds United tried to get a big-money move agreed for Michael Cuisance only to see it fall down

It was one of the big transfer stories of the summer of 2020 as Leeds United prepared for their return to the Premier League, would the Whites get an £18m deal over the line for Michael Cuisance. The then Bayern Munich player had been linked with Leeds for months with growing expectation during the delayed summer window due to Covid, that Cuisance would be a high-profile addition to Marcelo Bielsa's Leeds ranks.

A France under-20 international with a growing reputation at Bayern, the central midfielder was seen as just what Bielsa needed in the middle of the park. Then, with all expectation a deal would be done, Cuisance signed for Marseille on loan and it felt like a potentially important player had got away.

Now, it turns out that was not the case. There had been speculation at the time the Frenchman had failed his medical at Leeds and that is why the Whites stepped away from the deal. It was speculation Cuisance had denied at the time, telling Sky Sports; "There was no problem with the medical, the one with Marseille went very well, I am in form and ready to play."

Currently playing for Venezia, where he has twice been loaned out, Cuisance has now changed his tune on what happened at Leeds. Speaking to Ouest France he admits his medical was the reason behind his failed Leeds move.

Asked about his loan to Marseille, he said: “Full of emotions. But maybe I made too premature a decision by going there. I was supposed to sign for Leeds, coached by Bielsa.

"It was blocked for medical reasons… In short. In the process, everything comes together. But I can’t regret OM (Marseille). There, it’s all or nothing, that’s what’s beautiful. We change coaches three times, the one who arrives at the end of the season (Sampaoli) does not plan with the players on loan. A manager from Venezia contacted me. And everything didn’t go as planned…”

At just 24 years of age the former Leeds target will hope he can kick-start his career once again next season after a difficult spell since his Leeds flirtation.