Leeds reportedly want midfielder that left Lionel Messi ‘astonished’ in training

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Leeds United have reportedly been offered the chance to sign Barcelona midfielder Riqui Puig on loan this summer with Ronald Koeman willing to let him get some game time in January – and Lionel Messi’s initial impression of Puig will excite Leeds fans.

Puig, 21, has managed just three minutes of first-team action this season since Koeman was handed the reigns as manager. In the final 12 months of his current contract, Puig has failed to live up to the hype – clocking up just 16 senior outings.

The three-time Spain Under-21 international will now be allowed to leave on loan in January and 90Min claim Leeds have been offered the Barca midfielder. Indeed, the report also states that Leeds have held talks with the player’s agent.

Barcelona do have the option of another two years on his current deal but they are yet to exercise that option. A move to Leeds could materialise then in January, and Messi’s reported first impressions in training will excite supporters.

A report from SPORT in 2018, reads: “He brings top quality and has a privileged vision of the game. Messi quickly realised that after Riqui started training with the first team.

“He wanted him on his side and, of course, the kid was happy to have his idol in front of him. He was not the only one who was astonished. Luis Suárez, Andres Iniesta – a player whom he has many resemblances towards – were also captivated.”

TBR’s view – Puig has not lived up to the hype

But if a manager was to ever rejuvenate someone’s career, Marcelo Bielsa could. While Messi never worked under Bielsa – despite the latter managing Argentine until 2004 – the two have a mutual respect, with both legends of Newell’s Old Boys.

If Puig is to gain advice from Messi, surely it would be to join Bielsa on loan at Leeds. It would make Puig a better player, learn from someone that understands the game on a par with Messi, and finally make him realise his potential.

Whether he would get game time at Leeds right now, remains to be seen. But the Whites certainly tried to sign an attacking midfielder in the summer and failed – so including Puig in that list of options could be beneficial for the Whites.

Puig, as per Squawka, has a release clause worth £88million.