A few Leeds United fans have been reacting on social media to reports by Mundo Deportivo, claiming the club are battling Norwich City and West Ham for Rayo Vallecano forward Adrian Embarba.
The 27-year-old has been in scintillating form at the Campo de Futbol de Vallecas under Paco Jemez this season, with Embarba being involved in 18 goals over the current La Liga 2 season.
He has started 22 of his 23 league outings from a possible 24, and leads by example as Vallecano’s captain with seven goals and 11 assists – no Los Franjirrojos player has scored or assisted more in all competitions
Embarba’s performances under Jemez have seen Espanyol and former potential suitor Real Betis return to the scene to sound out a January deal, after Los Verdiblancos saw an offer of between €4.5m (£3.8m) and €5million (£4.2m) turned down last summer.
Betis and Espanyol both now face rival offers from England, as West Ham, Norwich and Leeds have all credited with an interest in the former Real Madrid youth prospect.
Norwich are said to be the most interested side of the clutch of English clubs as the Canaries look to steer clear of relegation out of the Premier League.
Embarba has averaged a goal every 275 minutes in La Liga 2 this term and has created 13 big chances, only seeing two not turned home for assists. He has also averaged 62.1 touches per game, 2.2 shots, 3.0 key balls, 17.7 accurate opposition half passes (58%), 2.5 accurate crosses (25%), wins possession in the final third 1.0 times, makes 2.5 successful dribbles (51%), and wins 7.1 of his duels (44%), per Sofa Score data.
Would Embarba have been a good option to sign?
Yes
No
However, while United have been credited with an interest in Embarba, it is extremely unlikely that the Madrid-born winger will he heading to West Yorkshire this month, as Espanyol appear to have won the race for his signature.
Further reporting by Mundo Deportivo has suggested the RCDE Stadium natives are hours away from having Embarba put pen to paper on a contract, having agreed to trigger the €10m (£8.4m) release clause in his deal with Rayo Vallecano.
Espanyol will pay the release clause over a series of instalments, unless an unexpected last-minute turn presents itself and the winger decides not to join the current La Liga basement boys.
Here are some of the messages shared as fans reacted to reports claiming our interest in the fierce race for Embarba’s signature…
Pfftttt Madrid to goat herders 😂😂
— stringaz85 (@stringaz851) January 21, 2020
@lufc Leeds must deepen squad
Rayo Vallecano winger Adrian Embarba is a good buy & good fit.
Leedshave completed signing of Italian goalkeeper Elia Caprile on a permanent basis from Italian Serie B side Chievo Verona – Caprile has posted on Instagram.However, We need a Striker
— Debs Woodhall-James (@debswj62) January 22, 2020
Yes a 1 in 6 striker
— milkybar (@milkybar39) January 21, 2020
What’s the fixation with wingers? We have wingers. CAN WE HAVE A CENTRE FORWARD PLEASE? More wingers to create more chances for Bamford to miss.
— Tony Mitchell (@TonyMitchell) January 22, 2020
There’s a reason he started at Real Madrid and ended up at Rayo, just saying
— Dirty Leeds Forever (@xeneize2019) January 21, 2020
He’s off espanyol
— Nick Walls (@WallsStreet90) January 21, 2020
In other Leeds United news, Marcelo Bielsa hopes to have a striker signed in time to face Millwall, and that could be a £15m presently injured man.