Opinion: Reported European starlet offered to Leeds United would be a great signing

Leeds United are reportedly one of a handful of clubs being offered the chance to sign Barcelona starlet Riqui Puig on-loan in January as the midfielder searches for guaranteed playing time.

The summer transfer window was a lavish one at Elland Road as four first-team signings were made for lucrative fees, including the record-breaking £27million deal to sign Rodrigo from Valencia.

On top of the forward arriving, Leeds also sealed deals for defenders Robin Koch and Diego Llorente, and a deadline day deal to sign Raphinha wrapped up Leeds’ incomings following promotion.

While it was clear that these players were needed and we should be happy with the depth we now have in those areas, you can’t help but think that the club was pushing for another central midfield presence. Adam Forshaw’s continued non-presence is a concern and means we’re really a man light in midfield, putting more pressure on the ever-present Mateusz Klich to stay fit.

The club did in fact push for a new centre-mid, Michael Cuisance came within a completed medical of signing for Leeds and it’s a strong indication that Leeds are willing to add in that area.

On top of that, we saw in both games against Leicester City and Crystal Palace that when Rodrigo isn’t available, we suffer badly in those areas both in and out of possession.

With this in mind, the reported availability of Riqui Puig should ring alarm bells at Elland Road for a January swoop. 90min claim that Leeds are one of a handful of teams that have been offered the chance to sign Spanish youngster on-loan in January.

Puig hasn’t had the best of years at the Nou Camp, starting just five games last season and only featuring for a total of three minutes this term, with the intention of this loan move to revitalise his career that is at risk of stalling.

It’s a move that stands out as a very strong proposition for Leeds, to plug a very alarming gap in the squad that has been highlighted by recent performances of the deputies in that area.

The caveat to this is fitness being a key issue, with Jean-Kevin Augustin’s struggles to get fit last January demonstrating the challenge of getting a player ‘Bielsa-ready’ mid-season.

Heralded one of the best players to come out of La Masia for some time, the comparisons to Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta tell you all you need to know about the creative talent he possesses from the number eight position.

With Pablo Hernandez struggling to make a consistent impact in the Premier League so far, there might be more need for some added creativity within the 18 that is lacking when Rodrigo isn’t there.

On top of this, it gives license for Mateusz Klich to push into a more advanced role, where he managed double-figures for goals in Bielsa’s first season at Leeds. Incidentally, this came because he was allowed further up by the presence of Forshaw, who Puig would be replicating in that position.

We’re unlikely to see much (if any) business in the January window, but when an opportunity comes across like this for a highly-thought-of talent, you have to at least consider it.