OPINION
Osasuna sporting director Braulio Vazquez has confirmed that Leeds United had tabled an offer to sign centre-forward Quique last year – and it is apparent that the Yorkshire giants dodged a major bullet.
Quique, 28, scored just five goals in 44 appearances across all competitions for Osasuna last term as they finished eighth in the Spanish second-tier.
Marca reports that the Spanish centre-forward has now moved to Deportivo for a deal worth £1.5million, but as confirmed by Osasuna chief Vazquez, the ex-Almeria striker also had the chance to head to Elland Road this summer.
“He had an offer from Leeds United on the table,” said Vazquez about the Whites’ move for Quique in 2017, as quoted on Osasuna’s official club website.
Director of football Victor Orta has done nothing but annoy the supporters since he was hired at Elland Road by wasting money on unknown players across Europe rather than making a major effort to sign proven Championship players.
Although the Whites struck gold by signing Samuel Saiz from the Spanish second-tier last year, there’s no chance that they would be able to repeat that luck with Quique – especially for a striker who scored just four league goals all last season for a top-half team.
Leeds need a new number nine quickly, and if they are missing out on deals worth £1.5million for someone who can’t hit a barn door with a banjo then there must be something seriously wrong.