---
title: "Leeds close to Ilias Akhomach transfer"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-ilias-akhomach-transfer-news-updates/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Charlie Smith"
section: "Leeds United News"
published: "2023-03-15T17:20:39Z"
modified: "2023-03-15T17:20:39Z"
---

# Leeds close to Ilias Akhomach transfer

**[Leeds United](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-united-news/) are thought to be close to signing Barcelona youngster Ilias Akhomach, with a move seemingly at an advanced stage.**

### The Lowdown: Akhomach profiled

Akhomach is 18 years of age and is [primarily](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ilias-akhomach/profil/spieler/709969) a right-winger who can also play on the left or through the middle. The [left-footed](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ilias-akhomach/profil/spieler/709969) forward is valued at €3m (£2.7m) by [Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ilias-akhomach/profil/spieler/709969) and is [out of contract](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ilias-akhomach/profil/spieler/709969) at the end of the season.

He made [three](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ilias-akhomach/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/709969/verein/131) first-team appearances at the Nou Camp last season and even featured in a Champions League matchday squad earlier this season, sitting [on the bench](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ilias-akhomach/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/709969/verein/131) against Viktoria Plzen.

### The Latest: Transfer update

[Sports Witness](https://sportwitness.co.uk/leeds-close-sealing-exciting-free-transfer-whites-advanced-talks-player/) relayed an update from [Mundo Deportivo](https://www.mundodeportivo.com/futbol/fc-barcelona/20230314/1001964488/ilias-ira-barca-avanzado-nuevo-destino.html?) regarding Akhomach and Leeds in the last 48 hours. They claimed that the Whites are in ‘most advanced’ talks to sign the player, with the [report](https://www.mundodeportivo.com/futbol/fc-barcelona/20230314/1001964488/ilias-ira-barca-avanzado-nuevo-destino.html?) saying that the ‘winger is finishing negotiating his new contract’ at Elland Road.

Leeds look set to pip a number of sides, including Sevilla and Club Brugge, to Akhomach’s services and a transfer could be finalised before the end of the month.

Akhomach’s representatives are confident Leeds will remain in the [Premier League](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/premier-league-news/), and as it stands, those at Elland Road are close to agreeing a free transfer, where he could become the first signing under new head coach [Javi Gracia](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/tag/javi-gracia/).

### The Verdict: Good news

After signing Junior Firpo from the Catalan giants and selling Raphinha, it looks as if a transfer involving the two clubs looks set to materialise again with a move for Akhomach.

He appears to be an in-demand gem, so it is good to see that it is Leeds who look set to win the race for his signature. Of course, a deal won’t be completed until all the relevant paperwork is signed, so the club’s top-flight status could be crucial to a transfer officially going through in the summer.

Previous [reports](https://twitter.com/elchiringuitotv/status/1631666889922363393?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1631666889922363393%7Ctwgr%5Ef2f6850391d3ea71875bc07adc1eaed70d363767%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.leedsallover.com%2Freport-leeds-united-pushing-for-agreement-with-barcelona-man-as-victor-orta-pursues-bargain%2F) even suggested that Leeds, and by extension sporting director Victor Orta, have already reached a four-year agreement with the teenager, so it’ll be interesting to see if that is correct and if a pre-contact agreement is completed over the coming months.

If it is, Leeds will be hoping Akhomach can make a similar immediate impact to Wilfried Gnonto. The Italian has starred in Yorkshire since joining in the summer from FC Zurich, contributing to [six](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/wilfried-gnonto/leistungsdaten/spieler/627626) goals in [19](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/wilfried-gnonto/leistungsdaten/spieler/627626) appearances so far, with his displays already catching the eye of Juventus, who have been [linked](https://www.calciomercatoweb.it/2023/03/13/gnonto-torna-e-tradisce-linter-soldi-e-scambio/) with a summer swoop.