Leeds United could be handed a blow in their pursuit of Manchester City’s ace Ian Poveda as a report from Tuttosport as cited by the Express states that the English heavyweights are now offering the player to Celtic. Serie A side Torino are still considered as the front runners to sign the 19-year-old.
Why are Manchester City offering Poveda to Celtic?
City and Celtic share a good relationship and the Scottish giants have signed quite a few City players over the past years. It is believed that the Premier League holders want to include a buy-back clause in Poveda’s deal and their negotiation with Celtic will go much smoother given their previous relationship.
City could even offer Poveda to Celtic on a free transfer if they are given a say over his future. The Englishman is in the final few months of his contract, and the Citizens want to sell him in this window as to not lose him for free in the summer.
All this could be a blow for Leeds United who are heavily linked with the Manchester City ace. The Whites are yet to find their replacement for Eddie Nketiah, and we are more than halfway through in the January transfer window.
Where might Poveda fit in at Elland Road?
Poveda wouldn’t be an outright replacement for Nketiah, but he can contribute on the attacking front. Poveda is primarily a right-winger, and he can even play on the left flank when required. However, we feel that he could be tried in the attacking midfielder’s role as well give his on the ball qualities.
Poveda is known for his silky smooth footwork, and he can link up play well. He has been compared to David Silva due to his similar playing style. Poveda plays on the right as an inverted winger, and he often tries to drift inside on his favoured foot.
What now for Bielsa?
Marcelo Bielsa and Pep Guardiola are known to share a good relationship, but City will likely look at the business side of the deal first. City will have more chances of inserting favourable clause with Celtic, and if the Hoops take Poveda, then United would obviously miss out on him. We saw last season that the Whites lacked a cutting edge in the second half of the season after missing out on Daniel James. Hopefully, that wouldn’t be the case this time as well.
