Leeds United links to Nuno Espirito Santo have 'legs' and he is in the running to be appointed as Jesse Marsch's successor at Elland Road, CBS reporter Ben Jacobs has told GiveMeSport.

The Whites confirmed earlier this week that caretaker manager Michael Skubala will continue taking charge while owner Andrea Radrizzani and director of football Victor Orta continue searching for a new head coach.

Leeds manager news - Nuno Espirito Santo

According to The Times, Leeds will have to fork out a £5.3million compensation fee to prise Nuno away from Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Ittihad.

The report suggests the former Wolverhampton Wanderers and Tottenham Hotspur chief is among a number of candidates to have been interviewed for the job at Elland Road, but he is yet to be offered the position.

It is understood that Nuno is being considered by the Leeds hierarchy after being pushed into their direction following Marsch's axing.

Respected journalist Dean Jones recently told GiveMeSport that the 49-year-old is wanted by a large section of the Whites' fanbase.

Leeds have been boosted in their hopes of tempting Nuno away from Al-Ittihad as he is keen on returning to the Premier League.

What has Ben Jacobs said about Nuno?

Jacobs understands that Nuno's Premier League experience is a key reason for Leeds' decision-makers considering a move.

The journalist also feels handing the Portuguese the reins is being seen as a safer option than appointing Frank Lampard or Steven Gerrard, who have been sacked by Everton and Aston Villa respectively this season.

Jacobs told GiveMeSport: "There are legs in the Nuno Espirito Santo links and he's a manager that comes with Premier League experience.

"I think that there's more of a worry around Lampard or Gerrard. Gerrard is probably, of those two, the one that has been more closely linked because Leeds need a manager with a proven capability of firefighting. It's not easy to walk into that Leeds United dressing room mid-season."

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Would Nuno be a good appointment for Leeds?

Nuno has a decent managerial record, with Transfermarkt statistics showing he has won 210 of his 427 matches in the dugout.

It was at Wolves, in particular, where he shone. Having earned his stripes at Rio Ave, Valencia and Porto, he led the West Midlands outfit to the Championship title and 96 victories.

Nuno's time at Tottenham was cut short and less fruitful after suffering as many Premier League defeats as triumphs.

Despite that setback, his record in the English top flight will still be desirable for the Leeds hierarchy as he has averaged 1.42 points-per-game in the competition.

Nuno has also recovered from his Tottenham reign by leading Al-Ittihad to 14 wins and just one loss from his opening 19 matches at the helm, so he would be a shrewd appointment in Yorkshire.

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