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Is Leeds’ El-Mhanni interest a blow for Hadi Sacko’s future?

Alberto Moreno of Liverpool and Hadi Sacko of Leeds United battle for the ball during the EFL Cup Quarter-Final match between Liverpool and Leeds U...
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Leeds United winger Hadi Sacko may be hoping for a fresh start under Marcelo Bielsa.

Yasin Ben El-Mhanni of Newcastle United and Ryan Ledson of Oxford United in action during the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Oxford United and Newcastle United at Kassam...

According to a report from the Daily Mail this weekend, Leeds are eyeing up a summer move for Newcastle youngster Yasin Ben El-Mhanni as he edges towards the St James’ Park exit with a free transfer on the cards.

There are a host of clubs keen on signing the 22-year-old who looks set to leave the Magpies without ever making a first-team appearance in the league, so Leeds appear to have a battle on their hands if they hope to sign El-Mhanni.

Marseille's Argentinian head coach Marcelo Bielsa gestures during the French L1 football match between Lens (RCL) and Marseille on March 22, 2014 at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis,...

But if Marcelo Bielsa can bring the winger to Elland Road, it is surely a massive blow for Hadi Sacko’s potential hopes of salvaging his Leeds career after a fairly torrid time since joining permanently.

The Yorkshire Evening Post reports that Sacko joined for around £1.5 million last summer after an encouraging, but very mixed loan spell. This campaign has been much more difficult however, as he finished the season with just one league start and no appearances following early March.

He is a popular figure amongst the Leeds fans, but his form has been heavily criticised and there may perhaps not be that many supporters who would be that disappointed if Bielsa quickly discarded him once he gets to work at Thorp Arch.

Alberto Moreno of Liverpool and Hadi Sacko of Leeds United battle for the ball during the EFL Cup Quarter-Final match between Liverpool and Leeds United at Anfield on November 29, 2016 in...

But there is some talent there. The highlight of his Leeds career to date was arguably the superbly-taken goal away at Burnley in the League Cup – that goal and some of the exciting runs that he has been on potentially gives Bielsa something to work with if he wishes to.

But with Sacko previously on the periphery of the squad and two years older than El-Mhanni – and thus, potentially less likely to make as much improvement – perhaps Leeds signing the Newcastle ace would suggest that Sacko’s future lies elsewhere.