Spanish forward Samu Saiz has his heart set on a move to Leeds United after they blew clubs in his homeland out of the water with their offers, according to Mundo Deportivo.
The Spanish publication claim that the Championship have upped the ante in the race to land Saiz 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.
Mundo Deportivo report 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.
It is said that United have also offered Saiz a contract worth £18,000-a-week, which is higher than any of those on offer.
The possibility is now growing that the Real Madrid academy product will soon complete a move to Elland Road and become the English club’s second new arrival since Thomas Christiansen was appointed manager.
Mundo Deportivo note speculation that Saiz could complete a medical at Leeds as early as Tuesday, although they do not state that is definitive.
Nevertheless, Leeds are firmly in the driving seat to sign the versatile Spaniard after recently appointed director of football Victor Orta identified him as a player to strengthen the club’s forward ranks.
Orta and Christiansen are working on refurbishing a United side that finished seventh in last season’s Championship after challenging strongly for promotion for much of the campaign.
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 has just a year remaining on his contract and is expected to move to a new club this summer.