OPINION
Leeds fans were sent into a tailspin on Thursday with the news that Samu Saiz is unsettled at the club and wants to leave, with a move to Getafe on the cards.
The reports coming out from Leeds on Thursday were that Saiz’ partner is pregnant and that he is keen on a January move.
The ever-reliable Phil Hay, senior reporter from the Yorkshire Evening Post, said that his gut feeling was that Saiz would go.
Saiz might not have been in the best of form this season – in fact he’s only just won back his first-team place – but on his day he’s one of the best players in the Championship and it’s essential that he’s replaced if he leaves in January.
The good news is that Leeds should get a good fee for him. He signed for £3million in the summer of 2017 and is under contract until 2021.
Leeds aren’t keen to see him go and are under no obligation to sell him cheaply.
And they could have a readymade replacement in their sights already.
They’ve been linked previously to in-form Alaves attacker Ibai Gomez, according to Diario AS.
The report claims the 28-year-old attacker has been in the form of his life for Alaves, who are currently fifth in La Liga.
Gomez is said to fancy a move to the UK, is out of contract in the summer and has played for Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa before at Bilbao.
His contract situation could make this very interesting in January. Bielsa doesn’t like signing new players that haven’t trained with him before but Gomez knows him and his training methods well.
Real Sociedad are also said to be interested but the prospect of playing in the Premier League under Bielsa must be a tempting one and Gomez could be the player that cements their promotion push.
If Saiz does leave, Gomez would fill the hole perfectly.