Leeds United fans are a popular bunch in The Transfer Tavern, with the passionate Yorkshire bunch always keen for a chat about their beloved Whites.
Sitting near the top of the Championship table after an excellent start to the new campaign, you can only begin to imagine just how excited this resolute bunch are after years of mediocrity following their relegation from the Premier League in 2004.
With boss Thomas Christiansen at the helm, the club look destined for great things, and there are very few Whites’ fans in The Tavern that are not forecasting promotion to the top flight by May next year.
The club invested well in the summer, with director of football Victor Orta’s work behind the scenes proving a hit both on and off the bitch, and the Spaniard could be at it again in January, with The Daily Mail reporting that the club are considering a bid for Osasuna midfielder, Fran Merida.
The club have already had great success plucking players from the Spanish second tier this year, with Samu Saiz proving to be an astonishing acquisition since arriving from Huesca in the summer.
Our landlord took to the tables to have a chat with Leeds fans about the potential signing of Merida and raised three very good points as to why he is the perfect January target.
He knows the English game
Merida spent five years at Arsenal as a youngster, making six Premier League appearances during three years with the first team.
The player knows the English game well, and after things ultimately did not work out with the Gunners, would surely love a return to these shores to try his hand at the English game once more.
Fluent in English, although not used to the harsher climes of the northern counties, Merida should find the transition to Leeds and the Championship relatively straightforward, and could have an immediate impact on the squad at Elland Road.
His football education is unreal
Seven years in Barcelona’s La Masia academy as a child, before making the switch to Arsenal’s youth set-up in 2005, Merida has learned his trade under some of the best coaches in world football.
Upon graduation into the Arsenal first team, Merida spent a season on loan in Spain with Real Sociedad, before continuing his journey at Atletico Madrid.
The 27-year-old midfielder has played in several of the world’s best sides, and bringing his experiences to Elland Road for the business end of the season can only go to further Leeds’ promotion credentials.
The club look strong in the middle of the park, with the likes Kalvin Phillips and Eunan O’Kane impressing thus far, but the addition of Merida would provide the club with one of the strongest cores in the second tier.
He knows how to get promoted
Following his release from Brazilian side, Atletico Paranaense, Merida signed with Huesca in the Spanish second tier, helping the club to promotion to La Liga in 2015.
Relegated the following summer, Merida earned a move back to the top flight with Osasuna, before the tiny club were themselves relegated to the second tier.
Merida’s performances however have earned him plaudits, and Leeds boss Thomas Christiansen will be attracted to the player’s experience in promotion, and relegation battles.
If Leeds go up it won’t be easy staying in the Premier League, and Merida could play a key role in maintaining their top flight status.
The midfielder is a fantastic player with bags of ability, and certainly deserves to be given another chance in English football, where he could make all the difference for Leeds this season.
Leeds fans, do you think Merida is the right man for your squad? Have your say below…
