According to the reports from Spanish media outlet Pucela Fichajes as cited by Daily Star, Leeds United are keeping tracks of Spanish playmaker Toni Villa who currently plies his trade with Real Valladolid in La Liga. The reports add that Bielsa had sent scouts (Not spy) to watch him in action against Getafe. However, Villa was not part of the first eleven, and it is expected that the scouts would return now.
Valladolid are not expected to negotiate any deal with the Whites. Therefore, Marcelo Bielsa will have to pay the buyout clause for the attacking midfielder which is set at £10.5m. The Spaniard has his contract until 2021, so one can understand why Valladolid are under no pressure to sell their academy product.
Leeds United still occupy the top spot in the Championship table, but they have now lost three of their last four Championship games. The squad has had to deal with numerous injuries, and as a result, Bielsa had to play certain players who would only make the bench. The Whites already sold one of their attacking midfielders earlier as Samuel Saiz departed for Getafe. So there is a definite need for the club to look for a replacement.
Villa has been regular for his side this season as he has managed 18 appearances in La Liga contributing with two goals and two assists. The attacking midfielder can double up as a left winger as well, and that is where he has been used predominantly this season.
The wide regions at Elland Road are currently occupied by the likes of Jack Harrison, Ezgjan Alioski and Jack Clarke. Out of the lot, Harrison and Alioski have often put up underwhelming performances and are only starting regularly as Bielsa doesn’t have too many options at his disposal.
The Spaniard is definitely coming in with a pedigree as he is playing in the Spanish top flight regularly and is currently in the prime as he is still just 24. Therefore he can take his game to the next level, but it remains to be seen whether the Whites would look to spend close to £10m to land this playmaker.
It is never easy for Spanish players to come and thrive in the Championship as the pace and physicality of the league is something that takes getting used to. Nevertheless, the United squad is so thin that they can definitely do with an attacking midfielder like Villa. But the price tag could turn out to be a significant hurdle, and for that price, the club can look to land some much more proven talents.
