Middlesbrough defender Daniel Ayala is refusing to play for the club and has insisted that he will be leaving on June 30 rather than at the end of the season, according to the Daily Mail. Leeds United are reportedly ‘keen’ to sign the 29-year-old (as per Leeds Live).
Ayala’s current employers are hovering dangerously above the relegation zone at present, just two points clear of Charlton Athletic in 22nd position, whereas Leeds United are pushing for promotion back to the Premier League and currently lead the division.
The report claims that the former Liverpool defender ‘has indicated that he does not want to sign the disclaimer that would allow him to remain at the club until the end of the season’.
Given the interest the Yorkshire-based club have reportedly shown, here is how a sample of the Elland Road faithful have responded to the post on Twitter.
No thanks, especially not after this
— Jonathan Powell (@jpowell100) June 15, 2020
Sorry, no thanks, it’s Side Before Self at Leeds! Toodle pip ?
— Jo Bedford ? (@El_Loco_Jo) June 15, 2020
No thanks
— Adam Barlow (@AdamPaulBarlow) June 15, 2020
Would you like to see Leeds sign Ayala?
Yes
No
It’s clear from the above responses that these Leeds fans are less than impressed by the player’s stance. The Spaniard is currently valued at £2.88m according to Transfermarkt.co.uk, but assuming the two parties are able to agree on personal terms, he will be available on a free transfer and could aid Marcelo Bielsa in filling the void that is likely to be left by the on-loan Ben White beyond this season. Fans continued to make their feelings known regarding the former Spain Under-21 international.
Bad form that from a player.
So far as Leeds is concerned, not my cup of tea, but, Bielsa’s the man
— Bielsa’s Cheese Wedge Ultras (@Allcheese1) June 15, 2020
Absolutely appalling attitude when his clubs in a relegation battle. Hopefully nobody picks him up as a result but this is the problem in football, they continuously get rewarded for a lack of commitment and underperformance
— Robert Hardy ?? (@mightywrites) June 16, 2020
Refusing to play? Another reason to stay well clear.
— Tommo v2 (@LUFC1992_v2) June 16, 2020
Nobody likes a quitter. No thanks, don’t want him at Leeds.
— JD (@MrJD83JohnDay) June 16, 2020
These fans have spoken on the matter, however, that’s not to say that Bielsa isn’t interested in bringing the central defender to Elland Road. The fact that Ayala is refusing to participate in the remainder of Middlesbrough’s Championship campaign could indicate that discussions have been held with the Whites, as has been previously suggested.