Leeds United showed a real interest in signing Kelechi Nwakali last summer – and he is now angling for a return to English football.
The Whites were linked with a host of midfielders last summer but failed to strike a deal for a senior signing.
Lewis Bate came in for the development ranks, but it’s clear that Leeds need some reinforcements in midfield this summer.
One of Victor Orta key targets last summer was Nwakali, with The Athletic reporting that Leeds were fighting Watford for his signature.
Then with Huesca over in Spain, Nwakali – a former Arsenal talent – had seemingly caught Orta’s attention with his displays on loan at Alcorcon.
Fast forward less than a year and Nwakali is caught up in a quite bizarre situation.
Nwakali claims that Huesca have terminated his contract after he played at the Africa Cup of Nations for Nigeria rather than sign a new contract or leave the club.
Huesca of course deny these claims, but with his contract set to expire this summer anyway, he’ll be moving on for nothing regardless.
The Athletic now claim that Nwakali has interest from Spanish clubs but he wants to play in England. His current contract status means he can immediately train with a potential new club.
Having wanted to sign him last summer, Orta will surely be keeping tabs on this situation.
The 23-year-old is a versatile box-to-box midfielder and could provide real energy to a Leeds engine room in need of freshening up.
Compared to Yaya Toure, Nwakali could now be an absolute bargain for Leeds on a free transfer having been valued at a huge £15million last summer.
Leeds may have changed their transfer plans after Marcelo Bielsa’s exit, but don’t be surprised if Orta makes a move for Nwakali now he’s available for nothing.
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