Leeds United’s pursuit of Spanish playmaker Sami Saiz has hit a stumbling block, according to a reliable journalist.
Yorkshire Evening Post correspondent Phil Hay has claimed on his personal Twitter account that United’s bid to sign the Real Madrid academy product from second-tier club Huesca has got “quite complicated seemingly”.
Alioski is on the list. Could happen. Saiz – not a secret that Leeds are very keen but deal is quite complicated seemingly.
— Phil Hay (@PhilHayYEP) June 27, 2017
Hay made the revelation when replying to a Leeds supporter requesting the latest on the club’s pursuit of versatile forward Saiz and Lugano right-winger Esgjan Alioski.
He explained that Alioski is on the transfer list of manager Thomas Christiansen and that the Championship club’s interest in Saiz is far from a secret.
This comes after Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo reported on Monday night that Leeds had upped the ante in the race to land the Huesca player with a fresh bid and a contract offer that has persuaded him to snub the chance to move up a division to La Liga and instead head for the English second tier.
It is reported that Leeds have lodged a bid of £3.1million to La Liga 2 side Huesca, which is higher than those of Spanish trio Alaves, Malaga and Eibar, who finished 10th in last season’s top flight.
Mundo Deportivo add that United have also offered Saiz a contract worth £18,000-a-week, which is higher than any of those on offer.
However, the reliable Hay’s update suggests that there are still some hurdles to be cleared before the player becomes Leeds’ second new arrival since Christiansen was appointed manager.
Saiz, who can play in the playmaker, right-wing or central striker positions, was unable to make the breakthrough at Spanish giants Real but has carved out a decent career in the lower leagues.
He scored 12 goals and supplied eight assists in 40 league appearances for Huesca in the recently completed season as they finished sixth and in the play-off spots.
Saiz is out of contract at the La Liga 2 outfit in 12 months and is widely expected to secure a transfer this summer rather than leave on a free in 12 months’ time.