Leeds may have just landed themselves the next Riyad Mahrez

It hasn’t been the greatest of seasons for Leeds United, but there have been some positives.

For instance, signing Wilfried Gnonto was a masterstroke, especially considering he joined for a bargain price.

Leeds have also brought in other high-calibre players, such as Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie and Brenden Aaronson.

Now, according to reports from Spain, Victor Orta may have just struck gold once again in the transfer market.

According to El Chiringuito TV, Leeds have agreed a four-year contract with Barcelona talent Ilias Akhomach.

Better still, the Whites would be signing the 18-year-old for nothing, as his contract expires in summer.

‘Spectacular’

Akhomach is an incredibly talented player – indeed, he’s said to be one of the top talents at Barca.

The teenage winger captains Spain’s Under-19s and has made three senior appearances for the Blaugrana.

Football Talent Scout published an article in 2020 where they called him ‘one of the most talented and spectacular players in La Masia’.

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‘Ilias is mainly a right-winger, but he can also play on the left wing, as one of the attacking midfielders or as a false nine,’ they wrote.

‘He is an unpredictable player, with fantastic technique, body balance & acceleration.

‘He is great in tight spaces and winning duels with 2 or 3 players is no problem for him.

‘He’s also a very creative player. Ilias can find free space and pass a ball between the lines or play an accurate long ball.

‘He is very elegant with the ball and constantly causes havoc around the penalty area.

‘Ball control, movement and tactical intelligence are also at a very high level.’

Football Talent Scout also said Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain and AS Monaco wanted Akhomach in the past.

They also claimed that the player said he was modelling himself on Lionel Messi, Hakim Ziyech and Riyad Mahrez.

All in all, there’s a lot to be excited about regarding Akhomach.

While it’s still speculation at this stage, if Leeds have indeed agreed a contract with him, they’ve done extremely well.

And even if Akhomach was to start out in the academy, Gnonto’s quick rise to the first team shows how good the pathway is for top talents.