Report: Ivan Bravo won’t make Leeds move, but exciting partnership could be agreed

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Ivan Bravo is reportedly staying with the Aspire Academy rather than joining Leeds United.

Ivan Bravo (Far L)

According to Marca, Ivan Bravo is set to stay in his job as director of the Aspire Academy in Qatar, rather than join Leeds United – but a partnership between the two clubs could be on the cards.

Bravo, who was the former head of strategy at Real Madrid, joined the Aspire Academy back in 2011, working to develop top athletes in Qatar ahead of the 2022 World Cup.

Bravo’s work seemingly didn’t go unnoticed, as the Daily Mail reported back in December that he was holding talks with Leeds United over a possible move to Elland Road.

It was unclear just what Bravo’s role would have been, but he has close ties to Leeds’ new co-owner Andrea Radrizzani, and could have been a strong addition to the setup at Elland Road.

Now, Marca claim that Bravo is instead set to extend his stay in charge of the Aspire Academy, but the report suggests that with those ties to Radrizzani, a partnership could be struck.

Not only does the Aspire Academy serve to develop Qatari talent, but they also offer scholarship deals to talented youngster from around the world, particularly from Africa.

Aspire own Belgian side Eupen, and have been sending scholarship players out to help Eupen, with the club winning promotion to the top flight last season.

General view inside Elland Road

African youngsters Babacar Mbaye, Silas Gnaka, Ntuthoko Radebe, Raoul Kenne, George Odeni, Jean Thierry Lazare Amani, Anthony Bassey, Phakamani Mngadi, Abdoulaye Sanogo and Eric Ocansey have all joined Eupen from the Aspire Academy since the 2012 takeover, but Henri Onyekuru is the greatest success story to date.

The Nigerian attacker, 19, has hit 14 goals in 29 games this season, and the Daily Mail report that Arsenal and Chelsea are among the clubs interested in signing the £6million-valued forward.

Any partnership with Leeds surely wouldn’t be on the same scale, but it could see the Whites manage to bring in some top young talent from around the world, with Radrizzani’s connections potentially aiding Garry Monk’s squad if an collaboration can be agreed.

Would you like to see Leeds strike a partnership with the Aspire Academy?