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Leeds signing this 19-year-old PL starlet would get them a perfect Hernandez successor

Why Leeds United should quickly snap up Ian Poveda from Man City

According to the Daily Mail, Leeds United are among the clubs interested in signing Manchester City winger Ian Poveda.

Ian Poveda joined Manchester City after Brentford’s academy was closed down. He has had spells with Chelsea, Arsenal and Barcelona academies and is currently an England U-20 international.

The Colombian teenager made his City debut in the EFL Cup against Burton Albion last year. However, Poveda has not agreed to extend his contract which expires in the summer. And two months ago, he was demoted to the Under-23s.

Ian Poveda of Manchester City and Adama Traore of Wolverhampton Wanderers compete for the ball during Manchester City v Wolverhampton Wanderers - Premier League Asia Trophy Final on July 20, 2019 in Shanghai, China. (Getty Images)
Ian Poveda of Manchester City and Adama Traore of Wolverhampton Wanderers compete for the ball during Manchester City v Wolverhampton Wanderers – Premier League Asia Trophy Final on July 20, 2019 in Shanghai, China. (Getty Images)

Due to his availability on a free transfer in the summer, Italian clubs Torino and Parma, as well as reigning Scottish champions Celtic, are also interested in signing the 19-year-old, the report adds. However, Leeds must do everything possible to sign Poveda this January.

The Whites have witnessed Jack Clarke and Eddie Nketiah being recalled by their parent clubs Tottenham and Arsenal respectively. This has weakened their attacking options, making it vital for Marcelo Bielsa to sign a wide player and striker this month to bolster his team’s promotion hopes.

Bielsa shares a good relationship with Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola. He signed Jack Harrison on loan last season and despite missing out on promotion, the Whites boss brought the winger back on loan before the start of 2019/20 campaign.

Harrison has developed into an important player for Leeds, improving massively under the guidance of Bielsa.

Ian Carlo Poveda of England U16 holds off a challenge from Erik Tobias Sandberg of Norway U16 during the U16s International Friendly match between England U16 and Norway U16 at St Georges Park on February 16, 2016 in Burton-upon-Trent, England. (Getty Images)
Ian Carlo Poveda of England U16 holds off a challenge from Erik Tobias Sandberg of Norway U16 during the U16s International Friendly match between England U16 and Norway U16 at St Georges Park on February 16, 2016 in Burton-upon-Trent, England. (Getty Images)

Now, the Leeds manager must make the best use of his relationship with Guardiola to sign another talent in Ian Poveda, who can be deemed as a potential replacement for Clarke.

Poveda would be a smart long-term acquisition who would add competition for Harrison, Ezgjan Alioski and Pablo Hernandez.

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Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa. (Getty Images)
Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa. (Getty Images)

The ageing Pablo Hernandez has endured an injury-hit campaign and the Whites must plan for a long-term replacement of the Spanish attacker. Poveda is a young gun and would be an exciting signing if he develops into a top player in the future.

Verdict

The signing of Poveda gives Leeds an opportunity to develop a young player into a future star. Without any second thoughts, the whites should quickly thrash out a deal with City for the young playmaker.