Leeds United transfer update as Javi Gracia and Victor Orta sackings impact ‘practically done’ Ilias Akhmomach deal
Ilias Akhomach’s move to Leeds United has collapsed in the wake of Victor Orta and Javi Gracia being sacked at Elland Road, Sport reports.
The Barcelona teenager had already decided to leave the Catalan side and was on the brink of agreeing a deal to head to West Yorkshire, ahead of clubs including Arsenal, AC Milan and Sevilla.
But despite the Spanish youngster’s Whites transfer being “practically done” it was reportedly contingent on his two compatriots remaining at Leeds United.
The former manager and sporting director both left Elland Road on Tuesday (2 May) after the 4-1 defeat to Bournemouth on Sunday, with Sam Allardyce coming in for the final four games of the season as the club battles to avoid relegation.
Akhomach’s agents will now revive discussions with other interested clubs after the move fell through.
Turmoil
The deal for the 19-year-old winger looked like it might be Orta’s parting gift to the club before a potential departure in the summer, as the Jesse Marsch sacking had already put him on uneasy ground.
But with the situation desperate and Andrea Radrizzani having gone into full-blown panic mode his former sporting director won’t even deliver that.
It was set to be a coup in the market to have come through ahead of a host of big clubs, but the knock-on effects of the club moving onto a fourth manager this season are bound to be major and this is just the start.
Relegation will have huge implications as well unless the self-styled relegation specialist Allardyce can rescue things in minimal time available.
Gracia had clearly lost his way in spectacular fashion having brought about a lift in the first few weeks of his short spell in charge, but the timing and the manner of his arrival were hardly ideal and Orta has now paid for that too.
The timing of Big Sam’s appointment is even less desirable, particularly as he faces a trip to the Etihad to face title-chasing Manchester City first up, but the pressure is arguably off the former England boss.
The situation in the board room, in the dug out, and in the dressing room is all now up in the air ahead of the summer, but for now the primary focus can only be who is in the building this month and what they can do in the Premier League.
In other Leeds United news, another manager who is available is still “desperate” for the job despite developments with Allardyce.