Leeds United open to offers for winger as Victor Orta attempts to tie up outgoing loose ends - YEP 20/7/22
Leeds United are willing to listen to loan offers for Ian Poveda that include a view to a permanent move.
By Graham Smyth
The 22-year-old was sent out on loan to Blackburn Rovers
last summer but director of football Victor Orta made clear the Whites would
bring him back afterwards.
Poveda initially struggled to impose himself in the
Championship and then after turning a corner with his performances disaster
struck. He was taken off in the first half of a November game against Bristol
City when he suffered a fracture and ligament damage to his left ankle which
required surgery and a lengthy rehabilitation period.
Leeds head coach Jesse Marsch was content for Poveda, along
with Helder Costa, to report for pre-season training at Thorp Arch yet neither
man was included in the tour party for the trip to Australia.
In the case of Poveda, it appears as if there are too many
players ahead of him in wide areas, including Jack Harrison, Daniel James,
Crysencio Summerville and summer signing Luis Sinisterra, so a move away is
highly likely.
There has been some MLS and LaLiga 2 interest expressed in
the former Manchester City winger and Leeds may agree to a loan that contains
an option for the move to become a permanent one.
Costa is also expected to depart Elland Road this summer and
with Jorge Mendes' Gestifute agency representing him, will not struggle for a
move.
Leeds have already sent a number of players out on a
temporary basis in the summer window. Both Charlie Cresswell and Jamie
Shackleton have gone to Championship Millwall to compete for a level of gametime
that is not currently available to them at Leeds. Tyler Roberts has also joined
QPR in a loan move that could become permanent.
Goalkeeper Kiko Casilla is also due to exit Leeds in the
window, although a settlement may be the likeliest outcome.
The Whites have raked in £92m in transfer fees from selling
Kalvin Phillips [£42m] to Manchester City and Raphinha [£50m] to Barcelona in deals
that both include millions in potential add-ons.
