Leeds United are close to finalising the loan-to-buy sale of Samuel Saiz to Getafe as he prepares to undergo a medical today (MONDAY), according to the Yorkshire Evening Post.
The regional newspaper claim United and Getafe are “expected to finalise an agreement for Saiz in the next 24 hours” after the Championship leaders gave the green light for the playmaker to return to his Spanish homeland.
The YEP report the deal is an initial loan that “should become permanent for a fee of around £6million next summer” after Leeds decided they did not want an unhappy player at the club.
OPINION
Selling a key player at the midpoint of the season is a recipe for undermining Leeds’ promotion challenge. Why cave in so easily to the player’s desire to bring to an end his time in Yorkshire after 18 months. Many United fans would like to know the exact terms of the loan-to-buy deal. Is it dependent upon Saiz making a certain number of appearances for Getafe in the second half of the season? Or, on his performances? What if he were to get injured, or had a poor run of form, and couldn’t hit the agreed numbers? Would the supposed £6million fee Leeds are supposed to receive next summer then be null and void? These are important and critical questions. If they cannot be adequately answered, then there must be serious misgivings among the Elland Road faithful about the value and timing of this transfer. Despite Marcelo Bielsa’s coaching excellence, Leeds need all the quality and proven players they can lay their hands on.