Barcelona wide man Ilias Akhomach has chosen to join Leeds United from the Nou Camp club because Javi Gracia is manager at Elland Road, according to a report from Mundo Deportivo. Gracia’s long-term future remains unclear.

Spanish newspaper SPORT reported this week that Leeds had closed a deal for 19-year-old Akhomach. The Spain talent’s contract at Barcelona ends in the summer, and Leeds would be able to land the talented attacker on a free.

The report claims a deal could be done in the next few hours – and while that may be a bit of a leap, it is clear that Leeds are pressing ahead in a move for the winger. He is certainly a talent, playing three times for the first team.

Now, the latest report delves deeper into a Leeds move for Akhomach. Indeed, it underlines why the player has chosen to move to England, and to Yorkshire specifically – despite having a number of offers from all over Europe.

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MD report that Akhomach has been persuaded by Victor Orta and the fact that a fellow Spaniard in Gracia is currently manager. That might be a hint that Gracia is going to stay as Leeds manager – but his future is unclear.

Akhomach chooses Leeds because Gracia is manager at Elland Road

It is a sign that perhaps, Akhomach has been told that Gracia will be given the reigns at Leeds for a longer period than first believed. Gracia remains at Elland Road on a flexible contract – believed to be a deal, with a clause.

That clause is likely to be activated if the club remain in the Premier League. Currently 16th, Leeds have lost their last two games 5-1 and 6-1. But, they are still in a solid position and with seven games to go, it is in our hands.

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