Marcelo Bielsa to Leeds United wasn’t broken by the English media, or the Argentine media, the source which got there first was El Correo.
A reliable and sensible newspaper covering the Basque region, they have connections through to Bielsa from his time in charge of Athletic Club Bilbao, and the club’s current manager Eduardo Berizzo has worked with him.
This week, Goal claimed Leeds United are interested in signing Ibai Gomez. So much so they made more than one attempt during the summer window. Bielsa is said to be ‘hopeful’ that a deal can be done.
With Gomez playing for Alaves, in the Basque region, El Correo is the best place to stop and look for information.
And it just so happens that in their Thursday edition there’s a transfer article on the player. Again, it’s worth pointing out El Correo don’t fire numerous articles like this out.
Unfortunately for Leeds United, they don’t get a mention. El Correo state Eibar, another Basque club, are keen, which will force Alaves to ‘redouble’ their efforts to get a renewal signed.
Also in the mix are Gomez’s former club Athletic, who have made informal contacts, and Real Sociedad, who haven’t yet made a concrete offer.
It’s all a very Basque affair.
There are two major reasons for interest. Firstly, there’s a contract ending in June, and secondly, the 28 year old winger is perhaps having the best form of his career with three goals and an assist in nine games this season.
El Correo say that if it was just down to sport, then he’d stay at Eibar, where he feels the best he as a footballer. But, with it being a last big career contract, money is important.
As for Leeds United’s chances, if these clubs are already tussling, then surely Bielsa’s only way to convince Gomez is with big wages and Premier League promotion.