OPINION
Sporting CP have reportedly made a bid to sign Alaves attacker Ibai Gomez, which is surely bad news for Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa.
Spanish news outlet Mundo Deportivo reported earlier this month that the Whites had been keeping close tabs on Gomez, 29, this season, as well as a number of other clubs with his contract expiring next summer.
It was understood that he has a release clause of £9million but he could be available for free at the end of the season once his deal ends.
Gomez has also been in terrific form for Alaves, who have been punching well above their weight this season and sit fifth in the La Liga table.
The former Athletic Bilbao winger has played a key role in that, appearing 17 times in the league and scoring three goals, so major interest in his signature was always inevitable.
Unfortunately for Leeds, they are not the only club interested in signing him.
Basque news outlet EITB has now reported that Portuguese giants Sporting CP have tabled an offer for Gomez, and no other interested club has made any contact about the 29-year-old winger.
This cannot be good news for Bielsa, who is said to be closely watching a player who he used to manage during his days at Bilbao.
Leeds could do with reinforcements in January as well, especially now that Samuel Saiz will be joining Getafe in January.
Saiz has not played for the Whites since reaching a pre-transfer window agreement with Getafe, which has forced Pablo Hernandez into a more central role and weakening Leeds’ options out on the wing.
Gomez is someone who has the ability to play out wide and has done so in the Spanish top-flight, so there is no doubt that he would be an insanely good addition for a side in the English Championship.
However it looks as though United’s chances of bagging the Spanish winger have taken a major blow and unless they make a move quickly, then Gomez may be bound for Lisbon to join Europa League side Sporting CP.