Leeds United are now just ‘hours’ away from completing the signing of Barcelona winger Ilias Akhomach despite interest from Sevilla, AC Milan and Premier League leaders Arsenal.
At least, that is according to Sport; a Spanish publication who believe that, as far as a summer switch to Elland Road is concerned, a deal for Ilias is almost done.
“The agreement with the English team will close in the next few hours,” Sport write.
Of course, these claims could age about as well as the CGI on Dwayne Johnson’s ‘Scorpion King’. But one thing we know for certain is that Ilias has an admirer with plenty of sway at Elland Road.
Leeds United close to signing Barcelona’s Ilias Akhomach
“He is a footballer whose contract ends. There are many teams in the race to get his services. It’s going to be complicated. A player with so much talent, in such a special contractual situation, is going to be very difficult (to sign),” Leeds’ director Victor Orta told Relevo a few weeks ago.
“We’ll see who gets him. A decisive player, a Spanish talent, trained in Barcelona.
“He has earned the right to choose his next step. The one he chooses will surely be good for him, for his family and for his environment.”
That ‘next step’, it seems, could take Ilias from Catalonia to West Yorkshire. Leeds project has reportedly ‘convinced’ the 19-year-old winger; the Spain youth star now set to join a host of other exciting young talent. Joe Gelhardt, Sam Greenwood, Crysencio Summerville, Wilfried Gnonto, to name but four.
Whether Ilias can emulate Gnonto’s impact, only time will tell. Like the diminutive Italy international, he is a livewire wideman who puts his speed and skill to very good use.
Ilias made his first team debut at Barcelona during the 2021/22 season. Ironically enough, it was the signing of Raphinha which appears to have paved the way for the teenager’s potential Elland Road switch. Former Leeds favourite Raphinha has, after all, nailed down Ilias’ favoured right-wing role under Xavi.
Ilias, once labelled the ‘new Lionel Messi’ by ex-Barcelona director Patrick Kluivert, also had admirers at AC Milan, Sevilla and even Arsenal. At Leeds, however, Ilias should find first-team football easier to come by.
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