In the past couple of weeks, several reports from Spain had been claiming that Ilias Akhomach would leave Barcelona at the end of his contract and walk straight to Leeds United this summer.
There were multiple sources backing up the move, so it seemed like a matter of time until the transfer was made official.
However, Sport now reveals that ‘except for a surprise’, Akhomach’s arrival at Leeds has collapsed.
And Arsenal could show up as an option for him.
Starting from the bottom line, the outlet writes that even though the operation was ‘well advanced’, the departure of Victor Orta and Javi Gracia from the Whites has ‘deactivated everything’.
It’s claimed that the ‘option’ of signing him was dropped as soon as the Spaniard duo left Elland Road, but it isn’t clear whether it’s the player or the club cancelling things.
Akhomach’s contract renewal with Barcelona continues to be difficult, and that’s where the interested clubs, including Arsenal, come in.
The 19-year-old is now set to ‘reactivate’ his search for a new club to join as a free agent. The Gunners are said to be accompanied by AC Milan and Sevilla in that quest.
But it’s ‘especially’ Arsenal’s offer which seems attractive, with Sport claiming the London side have shown ‘great interest’ in landing the youngster.