Arsenal move ahead of Leeds United in race for Barcelona youngster Ilias Akhomach?

The 19-year-old was once regarded as a future first-team player at Camp Nou with 125 minutes of La Liga action being provided to him in 2021-22.

However, the playmaker has instead spent the current campaign in the youth ranks, partly due to the level of players in front of him in the pecking order.

Akhomach, whose contract expires in June has also shown an unwillingness to pen fresh terms with the Catalan giants, leading to other players being handed opportunities to make the step up under Xavi.

In recent weeks, it has been claimed that Leeds was the most likely destination for the Spain Under-19 international, regardless of whether they remain in the Premier League.

The Yorkshire giants have since made major changes behind the scenes, it being announced on Tuesday that sporting director Victor Orta had left the club.

With Javi Gracia on the brink of following his Spanish compatriot, Sport says that Akhomach will no longer be signing for Leeds on a free transfer.

Despite Leeds having a strong recent history of handing game time to young talent, the transfer is now said to have collapsed.

The report indicates that Akhomach will now start to consider alternative options with Arsenal, AC Milan and Sevilla all contemplating whether to secure his signature.

As a result of Arsenal returning to the Champions League, Mikel Arteta is eager to strengthen his squad with proven players, but taking advantage of Akhomach's contract situation may prove too hard to turn down.

Meanwhile, signing Akhomach would represent a coup for Milan or Sevilla, particularly the latter who have endured one of their worst domestic campaigns in recent memory.

With just 170 minutes of senior action to his name, Akhomach is eager to secure regular action in order to kick-start his time in the pro ranks.

This season has seen him make 28 appearances for the club's youth ranks, 23 outings being handed to him at the third tier of Spanish football and a further five matches coming in the UEFA Youth League.