Ezequiel Ponce in fine form and Leeds United were previously linked with January swoop

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In November, Leeds United were being linked with a potential January swoop for Argentine striker Ezequiel Ponce. ClubCall reported the West Yorkshire had scouted the player at AEK Athens, where he is currently on loan from AS Roma.

A deal made sense. Ponce is highly thought of by Marcelo Bielsa. He came through at the club the Leeds boss considers home, Newell’s Old Boys. He was signed by Bielsa last August, arriving at Lille from AS Roma on loan. So there was clearly some substance behind this rumour.

With January coming to an end, however, no deal for Ponce looks likely. Which is a shame, considering his recent form.

Last night the reported Leeds target scored as AEK secured a 1-0 win over Levadiakos. It means he has scored seven goals in his last seven games for the club. It takes his tally to 12 goals in 17 Greek Super League games this season (Transfermarkt).

Leeds would undoubtedly love to have had Ponce in their ranks for the remainder of the season. A deal, however, always looked unlikely considering he is halfway through a loan spell in the Greek capital. AEK have a buy-out clause of €6 million (£5.25 million) agreed for the player, according to Tech2, which would have also made a deal very difficult.

Leeds United would have had a gem on their hands in the Argentine forward. Perhaps he is one to revisit in the summer when, hopefully, Leeds will be in the Premier League.