Leeds United are moving to sign Barcelona winger Ilias Akhomach with Victor Orta pushing to secure a deal – even with no manager in place.
That’s according to ESPN, who claim that Leeds are hoping to convince Akhomach to make the move to Elland Road this summer.
It’s stated that Barcelona want to keep hold of Akhomach and have made him an offer to stay at the Camp Nou.
However, the financial terms on offer are a long way off what Akhomach’s entourage are expecting, so a departure could be on the cards.
Akhomach is out of contract this summer and it currently looks like he will be walking away from the Catalan giants.
Leeds director of football Victor Orta is understood to be leading the pursuit for Akhomach, but the Whites may find this a difficult deal to do.
Akhomach is unlikely to commit to a club battling relegation, as he could easily end up in the Championship next season.
Leeds may need to wait until their Premier League fate is known but have promised Akhomach first-team football at Elland Road – something AC Milan haven’t yet offered him as they chase a deal too.
Who is Leeds United target Ilias Akhomach?
Akhomach was born in Catalunya and has been coming through the Barcelona ranks for most of his career, save for a spell at Gimnàstic Manresa.
Akhomach returned to Barcelona in 2017 and started to show real promise.
The 18-year-old winger – who loves to play on the right and cut inside onto his left foot – has been compared to Lionel Messi by Patrick Kluivert.
Agent Horacio Gaggiolo rejected that comparison but did suggest that Akhomach has ‘enormous potential’.
Akhomach has turned out 39 times for Barcelona’s B team but has only managed four goals and no assists according to Transfermarkt.
Akhomach – who can play for Spain or Morocco on the international stage – has already made his Barcelona debut and has three first-team appearances to his name.
Leeds may not have a manager right now but they clearly see huge potential in Akhomach and want to lure him to Elland Road as yet another major prospect for the future.
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