Aston Villa midfielder opens up on Leeds United 'interest' last summer

Instead, the former France under-21s player departed Marseille for Villa in January, joining the club for a fee believed to be around £16 million.

Sanson, 26, faced Leeds at the weekend after coming on as a 79th-minute substitute for Jacob Ramsey as his side left with a 1-0 victory.

Speaking to French television channel Canal+, Sanson said of his career so far: “I’ve known everything in Ligue 1, especially with Montpellier and Marseille, so I was at a point where I was wondering: ‘why not go abroad?

“Since I was little I have always had a special affection for this championship (the Premier League).

“Aston Villa are a big club in England, but it could have been another club the summer before.

"There was Leeds who were very interested, but I felt that was not the time.“

https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/diego-llorente-states-leeds-united-intent-and-reflects-on-unrewarded-efforts-against-aston-villa-3150194

https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/yorkshire-evening-post-launch-leeds-united-only-digital-subscription-ahead-premier-league-campaign-2967964

A message from the Editor:

Leeds has a fantastic story to tell - and the Yorkshire Evening Post has been rooted firmly at the heart of telling the stories of our city since 1890.

We believe in ourselves and hope you believe in us too. We need your support to help ensure we can continue to be at the heart of life in Leeds.

https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/why-yorkshire-evening-post-needs-your-support-laura-collins-yep-editor-2913382

Subscribe to our website and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app.

With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content.

Click here to subscribe.

For more details on our newspaper subscription offers click here.

Thank you Laura Collins