Leeds top the list of English clubs looking to bring Tella back to the Premier League

ENGLISH Premier League giants Leeds United are leading a pack of clubs looking to secure the services of Super Eagles and former Southampton striker Nathan Tella ahead of the start of the new season.

Tella, 26, was born in England and joined Southampton as a youngster as far back as 2017, leaving them in 2023 for German side Bayern Leverkusen. Hopwever, since joining the Bundesliga side in a €23.3m deal in the summer of 2023, Tella has found it hard to get regular playing time.

Despite winning the Bundesliga and DFB Polka titles under Xabi Alonso, Tella is unhappy about the fact that he has mostly been a squad player at the Bay Arena. According to football analyst Graeme Bailey, Tella has garnered interest from Leeds United, who are keen on bringing in an attacker in a bid to stay in the English Premier League after their recent promotion.

Leeds are looking for a versatile attack-minded player and Tella fits that bill as he has played as a wing-back and a winger with Bayer Leverkusen. Over recent weeks, the West Yorkshire outfit sent scouts to watch the Stevenage-born Super Eagles star but if they make a bid, it could be challenged by other Premier League sides.

Daniel Farke's side will likely have to fight off competition from Brentford, Brighton & Hove Albion, Burnley and Nottingham Forest for Tella’s signature. Tella has scored 10 goals and provided 11 assists in 79 games for Leverkusen across all competitions.

Bar Nottingham Forest, none of the clubs interested in Tella are playing in the Uefa Champions League, meaning Tella will have to forgo playing in the biggest club competition in the world, should he choose to return to England. On the flip side, the assurance of regular playing time could appeal to the versatile forward, alongside the fact that he will be returning home to England.

Tella's Premier League and Champions League experience will undoubtedly appeal to these sides but a return to England will be a tougher decision to make if the offer comes from a top-five English Premier League team. In the meantime, Leverkusen are preparing for a new tenure under Erik Ten Hag who has taken over from Xabi Alonso, who has left for Real Madrid.