Barcelona youngster expected to join Leeds United on a free transfer in the summer

Barcelona are set to lose one of the most exciting young talents from their youth squad as Ilias Akhomach is set to finalise a move to Leeds United in the summer, as per a report by SPORT. The Spaniard is set to become a free agent, and will depart on a Bosman move.

The player wanted to renew his contract with Barcelona, but the two parties did not see eye to eye on the terms of the deal, which has pushed the Spaniard to leave the club.

AC Milan, Arsenal, and Sevilla were also interested in Ilias, but the player made the decision to join Leeds, based on their project and presumably an attempt to find game-time in the first team.

Leeds are currently battling relegation in the Premier League, sitting 16th in the table, two points above safety.

They have won two of their last seven games in the Premier League, but have a rather exciting young squad featuring 19-year-old Wilfried Gnoto, 23-year-old Luis Sinisterra, 22-year-old Brenden Aaronson, and 21-year-old Crysencio Summerville, among others.

They have the third-youngest squad in the Premier Legaue this season, with an average age of 24.8, just behind Southampton (24.4), and Arsenal (24.4). Therefore, the decision to join them makes sense for 19-year-old Ilias.

The teenager made his debut with the Barcelona senior team under Xavi last season, starting on the right wing against Espanyol.

He also played 80 minutes against Mallorca and 45 against Linares Deportivo in the Copa del Rey, but has not been seen from again in the first-team despite being called up for a few more games.