Would Saiz be a threat to Hernandez’s starting role at Leeds or would they excel alongside each other?

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Leeds United have been linked with Samu Saiz but what could that mean for Pablo Hernandez?

According to a report from Spanish website Sport Huesca, Leeds United are closing in on a deal for Samu Saiz, with a £3million bid potentially seeing off the competition for the attacker’s signature, but what would the player’s arrival mean for Pablo Hernandez?

The Leeds play-maker struggled for consistency last season, ending the campaign with six goals and eight assists in 38 outings, yet there is no doubt that when he is on form the Spaniard is one of the most effective creative players in the second tier.

The problem for Hernandez is that if Saiz arrives, his position in the starting line-up could be under threat, especially if the Whites also follow up their interest in Ezgjan Alioski (as reported by Swiss newspaper Blick).

There is however a tantalising alternative that would see both Hernandez and Saiz fitting into Thomas Christiansen’s starting XI and forming a potentially devastating triumvirate with last season’s top-scorer Chris Wood.

Only time will tell who Leeds sign following the arrivals of Hadi Sacko and Mateusz Klich, but with the latter competing for a midfield role alongside Ronaldo Vieira, Liam Bridcutt and Eunan O’Kane, the additional stability in the centre of the field could allow Leeds to play a front three with the potential to score goals by the truck-load.

Saiz is predominantly a secondary striker, although he can also operate in either wing or as a centre forward if required, and if Leeds player the 26-year-old and Hernandez either side of Wood it could work wonders.

Leeds need to get a deal done before their fans can get too excited, but there is no doubt Saiz’s arrival could potentially give Hernandez a second wind rather than consigning him to a bit-part role.