‘So much talent’: Victor Orta talks Leeds move to sign Arsenal target Ilias Akhomach

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Victor Orta has told Spanish media that Barcelona talent Ilias Akhomach is a player with “so much talent” amid reports that Leeds United are battling Arsenal in the race to sign him – but that any deal will be “complicated” to do.

Akhomach, 18, has been strongly linked with Leeds over the last few weeks. Spanish outlet SPORT say Leeds are at the front of the queue to sign the Spain U19 skipper. A more-recent report from SPORT say Arsenal are also keen.

He is a player with plenty of potential, especially given he has already broken into Barcelona’s senior side on three separate occasions. For the club’s second string, he has scored four goals in 39 outings, in Spain’s third division.

Asked about a potential move to land Akhomach on a free transfer, with his deal ending in the summer, Orta said that a deal will be tricky to pull off as many clubs are interested. However, he raved about the Barcelona wonderkid.

“He is a footballer whose contract ends, and there are many teams in the race to get his services. It’s going to be complicated. A player with so much talent, in such a special contractual situation, is going to be very difficult. 

“We’ll see who gets it. A decisive player, a Spanish talent, trained in Barcelona. He has earned the ability to choose his next step and the one he chooses will surely be good for him, for his family and for his environment,” Orta said.

Orta: Akhomach has so much talent amid reports Leeds battling Arsenal

Where is best for Akhomach? Clearly, Barcelona is not giving him the pathway he requires to break into the senior side. Xavi has Raphinha, Ousmane Dembele, Ferran Torres and Ansu Fati as options on the flanks. Leeds or Arsenal?

Well, Arsenal have Europe on offer and there will be more games, meaning more rotation. But the quality of player on the flanks far exceeds Leeds. At Leeds, it depends on the future of Willy Gnonto and Jack Harrison this summer.

If both leave then Akhomach will fancy himself getting into the Leeds side. We give Akhomach the best chance of first-team game time. Arsenal’s quality sees him in a similar position to the one he finds himself at the Nou Camp.