According to The Athletic, Leeds United are interested in Kelechi Nwakali. The SD Huesca attacking midfielder is tipped to leave the club in the summer, with just one year remaining in his contract. His desire is to return to England and take care of unfinished business, with Leeds United ready to offer him a platform next season.
Who Is Kelechi Nwakali?
Kelechi Nwakali is a former member of the Arsenal academy, having initially arrived in England back in 2016. Unfortunately, he never really managed to impress the north London giants, spending numerous loan spells at clubs like MVV Maastricht, VVV Venlo and FC Porto B.
Nwakali eventually left Emirates in 2019, joining SD Huesca on a permanent deal. He didn’t have much success in Spain either, making a total of just 12 competitive appearances before being shipping out on loan to Alcorcon in January.
An attacking midfielder by trade, Nwakali was rather impressive at Alcorcon. He featured in 18 matches, scoring four goals, helping the club survive relegation in the Spanish second tier.
The 23-year-old hasn’t been able to live up to his potential during his time at Arsenal and abroad. However, the attacker does offer a lot to the table including versatility going forward as well as pace and quality on the ball – making him a well-rounded offensive player.
Should Leeds United Take The Gamble?
Kelechi Nwakali’s lack of game-time over the past few years makes him a risky option for any Premier League club. He hasn’t played much at all and is yet to even prove himself in the top-flight football.
On the flip side, Leeds United are struggling with a lack of depth in the attacking department. The departure of Pablo Hernandez, combined with the uncertain future of players like Rodrigo, Ezgjan Alioski and Helder Costa does not bode well for the club.
That is where Nwakali might turn out to be an interesting option. The Nigerian can play on both flanks, in addition to his favoured number ten role. Although yet to prove himself in England, he is blessed with the ideal characteristics that might make him a success at Elland Road.
However, a lot will depend on how much Nwakali could cost. The Whites certainly cannot afford to spend anything more than the €5 million mark, but given the player’s contract situation, he might be available for far cheaper – making him a shrewd option for Marcelo Bielsa.
