Confirmed: Leeds and Arsenal miss out on free transfer, as Europa League side announce signing

Villarreal have announced the signing of Ilias Akhomach on a free transfer from Barcelona on Monday morning, after a number of links with Leeds United and Arsenal in recent months. Akhomach was very much a Victor Orta target.

Akhomach, 19, is highly-rated after coming through the La Masia academy – managing three senior appearances. He is also the current captain of Spain’s U19 side, scoring four goals in 15 caps. But he refused to sign a new deal.

A lack of pathway into the senior side on a regular basis was the reasoning. Barcelona have plenty of talent on the flanks, with Raphinha, Ferran Torres, Ousmane Dembele and Ansu Fati fighting for two spots in Xavi’s talented side.

Mostly linked while Orta was in place, SPORT said in April that Leeds were close to an agreement. But following the exit of Orta, a move for Akhomach died. SPORT said last month that Leeds, Arsenal and others were set to miss out.

Now, that has rung true. La Liga side Villarreal have confirmed the signing of Akhomach on a free transfer, where he will link up with ex-Leeds loanee Alfonso Pedraza. Akhomach has penned a four-year deal with Villarreal, until 2027.

Villarreal announce Ilias Akhomach signing after Leeds and Arsenal links
It is a good move for Akhomach. A move to a club where he will get plenty of game time, even if he does not jump straight into the starting line-up to begin with. Villarreal finished fifth last season, meaning Europa League football.

A move to Leeds would have seen him become a regular, but in the second tier. Arsenal would have seen him fail to play much at all – with Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard and Emile Smith-Rowe current options.