Wonderkid from La Liga speaks out about Leeds United's failed move.

Ilias Akhomach, a former young player for Barcelona, has revealed how close he came to signing with Leeds United before the Whites were kicked out of the Premier League.

As the 19-year-old’s contract with the Catalan giants came to an end, there were reports in Spain during the final weeks of the previous campaign that the Whites were close to finalising a transfer for the player. Akhomach made three senior games for Barca after graduating from the renowned La Masia Academy. He played in victories over Linares in the Copa del Rey and Real Mallorca in the La Liga.

He decided on a transfer to Elland Road and signed a three-year contract with La Liga team Villarreal instead since he had not done enough to earn a long-term agreement at the Camp Nou. Akhomach has now made five appearances for his new team, and his performance last month earned him his first call-up to the Spain Under-21 team. He celebrated his debut with a goal and an assist in a victory against Malta in a Euro Under-21 Championship qualification match.

The youthful winger has acknowledged that, but for Victor Orta leaving Elland Road and Leeds’ fruitless fight to avoid being demoted to the Championship, his career may have taken a totally different turn.