Championship title challengers Leeds United are reportedly hoping to sign Marcelo Bielsa’s former player Ibai Gomez from Alaves.
How to judge Samu Saiz?
On his day, the Spanish schemer is the player who makes Leeds United tick; a wonderful ball carrier blessed with skill and vision befitting of his Mediterranean roots.
But few Leeds fans argued against Marcelo Bielsa’s decision to drop Saiz before the 1-1 home draw with Nottingham Forest on Saturday. The 27-year-old has endured an indifferent run of form of late, and a tally of no goals and two assists in 15 Championship games is far from impressive given Saiz’s role as a number ten.
After being left out of the XI for the first time since Bielsa arrived at Elland Road, should the former Huesca man be looking over his shoulder? Possibly.
Because, according to Goal, Bielsa wants to reunite with his former Athletic Bilbao attacker Ibai Gomez in January and Leeds are understood to be confident of striking a deal with La Liga high-flyers Alaves.
28-year-old Ibai has been a revelation in Spain’s top flight this season and has helped the plucky overachievers to second in the table, having scored three goals in 10 games.
Ibai’s end product has improved dramatically in recent months, to the point where his potential arrival could leave Saiz on the outside looking in.
If Saiz does not want to get used to life on the bench, he needs to step up before January.
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