Leeds United and Brentford set for 'transfer battle' over Lyon and USA midfielder Tanner Tessmann
Leeds United and Brentford credited with transfer interest in Lyon midfielder Tanner Tessmann
Leeds United and Brentford are reportedly set to battle for the services of Lyon midfielder Tanner Tessmann.
The 24-year-old has been a regular fixture in Ligue 1 this term, making 29 appearances for Paulo Fonseca’s side. He has also been ever-present on the international scene and appears likely to make the USA squad for this summer’s World Cup.
Tessmann will be focused on the tournament if he does receive a call-up, although his future at club level may enter his thoughts too.
Leeds United and Brentford linked with USA international
According to reporter Alan Nixon via his Patreon page, Tessmann could be the subject of a transfer battle between two Premier League clubs.
Both Leeds and Brentford have been named as admirers of the midfielder, who is defensive-minded in nature and has also played at centre-back.
It has been claimed he is keen to make a move to the Premier League and Leeds have strong links to the United States via their owners, 49ers Enterprises.
The report has suggested the Whites and the Bees would prefer to get Tessmann on board before the World Cup in case he attracts more interest with his displays. However, Tessmann is reportedly willing to wait and see which offers come his way. Since joining Lyon from Italian outfit Venezia in 2024, he has racked up 76 appearances.
A move to Elland Road would unite Tessmann with his international teammate Brenden Aaronson, who has been on the books in West Yorkshire since 2022.
Leeds United’s central midfield department
The central midfield department at Leeds is quite crowded, with manager Daniel Farke having Ethan Ampadu, Anton Stach, Ilia Gruev, Ao Tanaka and Sean Longstaff in his ranks.
However, Tessmann would be able to provide direct competition for Ampadu and Gruev as a deeper-lying midfield operator.
The American is not the only central midfielder to have been linked with Leeds, who have also been credited with interest in Middlesbrough’s Hayden Hackney.