Barcelona eye Leeds United loan for Riqui Puig

Leeds United have been identified by Barcelona as the ideal suitor to take youngster Riqui Puig on loan, according to reports.

SPORT in Spain have reported that the Spanish giants see a loan deal with Marcelo Bielsa is the best option for the development of their young prospect who is struggling for minutes at The Nou Camp.

Puig has been subject to plenty of interest with Monaco, Spurs, Arsenal, RB Leipzig and Napoli among those linked. However, spending the rest of the season at Elland Road seems to be the preferred destination for Barcelona and Ronald Koeman, but Puig’s preference seems to be focused on earning more minutes at Barca.

Despite the fact that Puig’s contract expires in the summer, EuroSport report that there is little to no chance that Puig will leave the club with sources saying that the 21-year-old could sign a new deal soon.

Leeds have been on the hunt for a central midfielder since the summer transfer window, with a deal for now-Marseille man Michael Cuisance breaking down in the final moments earlier this year. If The Whites will target anyone this January, it will probably be a centre-mid and Puig could fit the bill perfectly.

A creative midfielder with good defensive effort and output, whose energetic, intelligent and athletic. Puig could be an exciting addition for the rest of the season, grabbing two assists last season from five-and-a-half games worth of minutes while scoring two and assisting three for Barcelona B.

Barca fans are huge fans of Puig and have been demanding that he gets more minutes under Ronald Koeman, but even after some impressive cameos this season and last.

This rumour is certainly worth keeping an eye on as the window opens in just a month’s time.