Leeds United are reportedly on the verge of signing Moroccan teenager Ousama Siddiki from Real Madrid.
According to a report in The Sun, Leeds United are set to continue their summer spending spree, having registered their interest in signing Ousama from Real Madrid. The 19-year-old striker will become the eighth player to make his way to Elland Road this summer.
Ousama Siddiki is a 19-year-old Moroccan striker who has done his entire footballing education in Spain thus far. Having started at Madrid-based club Siete Picos, the player was a bit of journeyman in his youth career, spending year-long spells with Rayo Vallecano and Colmenar Viejo before making his way to Real Madrid in 2015.
At Real Madrid, Siddiki has made steady progress, having started with the under-17 side before breaking into the Juvenil A team last year. And the youngster was a key player for his side last season as they won the Division de Honor, Copa de Campeones and Copa del Rey while also reaching the semifinal of the UEFA Youth League.
Ousama Siddiki to Leeds United pic.twitter.com/fZs2aP5v5p
— Brais Lorenzo Rguez (@braislorenzo86) July 21, 2017
Due to play for the reserve side next season, Siddiki’s time at Real Madrid could be set to come to an end this summer. Leeds United are interested in signing the teenager, and the lure of playing regular first-team football could tempt the player into making his way to England.
The Championship club have been busy in the transfer market this summer, having already signed seven players. Their objective is clear after narrowly missing out on making the promotion playoff last term – the club have appointed Thomas Christiansen to lead them back to the top flight after a gap of 14 years.
The highly-rated Spaniard has, thus, started assembling a squad capable of staking a claim for promotion, with Siddiki emerging as the latest name who could be making his way to Elland Road this summer.
The player, though, could immediately make his return to Spain on loan to Cultural Leonesa if he is not ready for first-team football. Leeds have recently struck a partnership with the Segunda Division club that will see the Whites send some of their youth players to Spain in order to play regular first-team football and continue their development.
Should Siddiki be deemed not ready to play first-team football in England, a move back to Spain under the same policy could stand him in good stead as he would be able to secure regular game time before staking his claim for a starting spot in the 2018/19 season.