MX23RW : Friday, November 8 04:02:59| >> :120:18897:18897:

Arsenal move ahead of Leeds United in race for Barcelona youngster Ilias Akhomach?

Arsenal move ahead of Leeds in Akhomach race?
© Reuters
Leeds United reportedly face missing out on Barcelona winger Ilias Akhomach, who has also been linked with Arsenal.

Leeds United have reportedly missed out on the chance of signing Barcelona youngster Ilias Akhomach.

The 19-year-old was once regarded as a future first-team player at Camp Nou with 125 minutes of La Liga action being provided to him in 2021-22.

However, the playmaker has instead spent the current campaign in the youth ranks, partly due to the level of players in front of him in the pecking order.

Akhomach, whose contract expires in June has also shown an unwillingness to pen fresh terms with the Catalan giants, leading to other players being handed opportunities to make the step up under Xavi.

In recent weeks, it has been claimed that Leeds was the most likely destination for the Spain Under-19 international, regardless of whether they remain in the Premier League.

Leeds United sporting director Victor Orta pictured before the match on March 18, 2023© Reuters

The Yorkshire giants have since made major changes behind the scenes, it being announced on Tuesday that sporting director Victor Orta had left the club.

With Javi Gracia on the brink of following his Spanish compatriot, Sport says that Akhomach will no longer be signing for Leeds on a free transfer.

Despite Leeds having a strong recent history of handing game time to young talent, the transfer is now said to have collapsed.

The report indicates that Akhomach will now start to consider alternative options with Arsenal, AC Milan and Sevilla all contemplating whether to secure his signature.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta pictured on March 19, 2023© Reuters

As a result of Arsenal returning to the Champions League, Mikel Arteta is eager to strengthen his squad with proven players, but taking advantage of Akhomach's contract situation may prove too hard to turn down.

Meanwhile, signing Akhomach would represent a coup for Milan or Sevilla, particularly the latter who have endured one of their worst domestic campaigns in recent memory.

With just 170 minutes of senior action to his name, Akhomach is eager to secure regular action in order to kick-start his time in the pro ranks.

This season has seen him make 28 appearances for the club's youth ranks, 23 outings being handed to him at the third tier of Spanish football and a further five matches coming in the UEFA Youth League.

ID:512887:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect4710:

Click here for more stories about Ilias Akhomach

Click here for more stories about Arsenal

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Barcelona attacker Ilias Akhomach pictured in November 2021
Read Next:
Arsenal 'pushing to sign Barcelona youngster'
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
1.15am
Bengals
@
Ravens
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool108111961325
2Manchester CityMan City1072121111023
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest10541147719
4Chelsea105322012818
5Arsenal105321711618
6Aston Villa105321715218
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs1051422111116
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton104421714316
9Fulham104331413115
10Bournemouth104331312115
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle104331010015
12Brentford104151920-113
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd10334912-312
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham103251319-611
15Leicester CityLeicester102441418-410
16Everton102351017-79
17Crystal Palace10145813-57
18Ipswich TownIpswich100551021-115
19Southampton10118719-124
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves100371427-133


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!