Reports in the Sun during the summer window did the rounds that Leeds United could be interested in making a move for Manchester City’s young star Brahim Diaz. However, the playmaker stayed put at the Etihad, and as expected, he has struggled for game time in Pep Guardiola’s star-studded lineup. The Spaniard has played in just two Carabao Cup ties this season and is currently in the final year of his deal.
Now Pep Guardiola indicated (BBC Sport) that he is willing to let the playmaker leave in January if he doesn’t want to stay at the Etihad. Guardiola was quoted as saying,”My advice is if he doesn’t want to stay, he has to leave. The case of Brahim is very simple: we want him to stay, we want to extend his contract for four or five years and we’ll do absolutely everything to keep him here but, as I said before, it’s in his hands.”
It seems like the club has given him the green light to leave the club and we believe Leeds United should chance their arm in January to sign him on a loan deal. However, there could be other clubs as well who would be looking to sign him on a permanent deal but as Pep suggested the club would try to hold on to him.
Remarkably the youngster is strongly linked (Marca) with a move to Real Madrid but we don’t see his situation improving from Manchester City if he goes on to join the Spanish giants. However, given that Diaz is Spanish, a move to arguably the biggest club in Spain should excite him. Though if the Citizens tie him on a new deal, we believe United would have a good chance of landing him on loan.
City would be kicking themselves if they lose a talent like Diaz and they should probably arrange a loan move to a club where he can play regularly and Elland Road could be the perfect destination for the youngster.
Marcelo Bielsa can definitely do with a player like him in the attacking third and we believe he would be the perfect player to play in Bielsa’s ‘Enganche role’ which has been occupied by Samuel Saiz for the most parts this season.
However, Saiz’s performance has been underwhelming and Bielsa has now preferred Adam Forshaw in his place in midfield. We believe Diaz will be an upgrade over both of them and this supremely talented attacker can be the game changer for the Whites in the second half of the season.
Chances to land him are slim as there is a good possibility that the player might look for a permanent move away from the club but if Citizens tie him on a new deal, United should go all out to land him on loan in January.
